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St. Matthew Passion in Full Score
One of the most performed and recorded of Bach's major works, the St. Matthew Passion has been a focal point of concert seasons and festivals around the world for over 150 years. First performed in the late 1720s, it is a drama of epic grandeur, long considered the noblest, most inspired musical treatment of the story of the crucifixion of Christ. Bach set the text, based on two chapters from the Gospel of St. Matthew, using a large ensemble of two choruses, soloists, and two orchestras. The full score is reprinted here from the fine edition prepared by the Bach-Gesellschaft.
Although the St. Matthew Passion is often held to be the apotheosis of Lutheran church music, this magnificent oratorio reaches out to its audience in the language, form, and spirit of opera. Richly dramatic and theatrical, following the general form of Baroque opera, it unfolds its deeply moving story in recitatives, ariosos, arias, chorales, and mighty choral movements. This finely produced score offers music lovers the opportunity — at a price far lower than comparable editions — to follow performances score in hand, and to gain a more intimate knowledge of the rich musical textures of this great masterwork.
Although the St. Matthew Passion is often held to be the apotheosis of Lutheran church music, this magnificent oratorio reaches out to its audience in the language, form, and spirit of opera. Richly dramatic and theatrical, following the general form of Baroque opera, it unfolds its deeply moving story in recitatives, ariosos, arias, chorales, and mighty choral movements. This finely produced score offers music lovers the opportunity — at a price far lower than comparable editions — to follow performances score in hand, and to gain a more intimate knowledge of the rich musical textures of this great masterwork.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2013
About the author
Johann Sebastian Bach
11.1k books89 followersJohann Sebastian Bach (21 March 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period.
He wrote more than two hundred cantatas, the Saint Matthew Passion , the Mass in B Minor , orchestras, such as the six Brandenburg Concertos , chamber ensembles, and numerous works for organ, harpsichord, other solo instruments.
Bach fathered noted Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach, and Johann Christian Bach.
Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia arranged his works.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_...
He wrote more than two hundred cantatas, the Saint Matthew Passion , the Mass in B Minor , orchestras, such as the six Brandenburg Concertos , chamber ensembles, and numerous works for organ, harpsichord, other solo instruments.
Bach fathered noted Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach, and Johann Christian Bach.
Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia arranged his works.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 13, 2021
Knirscht das Sündenherz entzwei
August 8, 2023
Wow. Impressive in so many ways
April 16, 2025
Great score, really awesome stuff, love music.
April 11, 2022
The full orchestral score is fascinating to follow along with the recording (3 hours). You can really appreciate the genius of the orchestration and vocal composition. Being able to identify the exact instruments and read the original text is invaluable. Note: the double choir/orchestra movements go by SO fast!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews