My Only Comfort

The beauty of Johann Sebastian Bach's music is due in large measure to its spiritual foundations, but with the passage of time, certain keys to comprehending the spiritual roots of Bach's music have been lost. My Only Comfort helps modern listeners reconnect with Bach's music, providing in one place the tools necessary to listen to Bach's music with understanding.

For each of Bach's text related works, Calvin Stapert provides their doctrinal and scriptural starting points, literal translations of the text set beside the original, and commentary on both the text and the music, giving particular attention to the way the music emphasizes, illustrates, and imerprets the text. No other book discusses Bach's music from this particular perspective. Written to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Bach's death, this unique work will be valuable to students of Bach and those interested in music history and theology.

Calvin R. Stapert is professor of music at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Preface

xi

INTRODUCTION

``Essential'' and ``Canonical'' Bach

3

(4)

Bach the Theologian

7

(5)

Bach's Musical Language

12

(8)

Cantatas

20

(9)

Motets

29

(2)

Chorale Preludes

31

(2)

Passions and Oratorios

33

(9)

Mass in B Minor

42

(9)

THE CATECHISM IN BACH'S WORKS

Prologue: My Only Comfort

51

(11)

Motet: Furchte dich nicht

Death

62

(12)

Chorale Prelude: ``Durch Adams Fall''

Cantata 199: Mein Herz schwimmt in Blut

Deliverance

74

(91)

What Kind of Deliverer?

75

(12)

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

What Must a Christian Believe?

87

(14)

Credo from Mass in B Minor

Birth of Jesus

101

(11)

Christmas Oratorio, Part II

Death of Jesus

112

(36)

The Passions

Resurrection of Jesus

148

(17)

Christ lag in Todes Banden

Discipleship

165

(62)

Coming-to-Life of the New Self

166

(12)

Three Chorale Preludes on ``Dies sind die heiligen zehn Gebot''

Du sollst Gott, deinen Herren, lieben

Anointed to Confess His Name

178

(14)

Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben

Anointed to Be a Living Sacrifice

192

(12)

Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen

Anointed to Reign with Him Eternally

204

(23)

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme

``Gloria'' from Mass in B Minor

``Sanctus'' from Mass in B Minor

``Dona nobis pacem'' from Mass in B Minor

Glossary

227

(4)

Works Cited

231

(4)

Index

235

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials