Good Friday – St. Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach
It is Good Friday as I write this, and I feel compelled to share a notable piece of music with you which is traditionally performed on Good Friday. This work, The St. Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach, is to me one of the greatest works of art ever created, and yet it is not art for art’s sake. It is religious art of the highest order. It is a sublime, religious work that has moved even the most militant atheists.
Unlike some works that are performed during Holy Week, this work does not combine the Passion Stories from the different gospels, but instead takes the story from the Gospel According to Matthew, hence the title “St. Matthew Passion.”
I don’t remember the first time that I heard the St. Matthew Passion, but I do remember that I immediately felt that it was one of the most beautiful musical works that I had ever heard. It is beautiful beyond words, and it has density. By density I mean that every listening brings out something new. The “threads” in the contrapuntal choruses keep my attention moving from one part to another. However, since it is beautiful beyond words, I will let it speak for itself. The work consists of 68 choruses, arias and recitatives (some sources lists a different number). I have linked to performances of 01, 67 and 68 that I found on Youtube. The German text and English translations are provided courtesy of The Choral Society of Durham (NC). If you decide to download the entire text from The Choral Society of Durham site, note that they number the pieces 01 through 78.
If you are interested in more information about the St. Matthew Passion or would like to read the lyrics without downloading them, click here for an interesting article about Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.
Fast Tube by Casper
Bach – Matthaeus Passion – 01
Ton Koopman – Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Soloists
| 1. Chorus and Chorale Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen! Sehet !Wen? Den Bräutigam. Seht ihn! Wie? Als wie ein Lamm! Sehet! Was? Seht die Geduld. Seht! Wohin? Auf unsre Schuld. Sehet ihn aus Lieb und Huld Holz zum Kreuze selber tragen! |
1. Chorus and Chorale Come, ye daughters, help me lament, Behold! Whom? The Bridegroom. Behold him! How? Like a lamb. Behold! What? Behold his patience. Behold! Where? Behold our guilt. Behold Him, out of love and graciousness, Himself carrying the wood of the cross. |
| Chorale O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig Am Stamm des Kreuzes geschlachtet, Allzeit erfunden geduldig, Wiewohl du warest verachtet. All Sünd hast du getragen, Sonst müßten wir verzagen. Erbarm dich unser, o Jesu ! |
Chorale O guiltless Lamb of God, Slaughtered on the stem of the cross, Always found patient, Although thou wast despised. All sin hast thou borne, Else we must have despaired. Have mercy upon us, O Jesus. |
Fast Tube by Casper
Bach – Matthaeus Passion – 67-68
Ton Koopman – Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Soloists
| 67. Recitative – Bass, Tenor, Alto, Soprano, and Chorus
Bass Chorus Chorus |
67. Recitative – Bass, Tenor, Alto, Soprano, and Chorus
Bass Chorus |
| 68. Chorus Wir setzen uns mit Tränen nieder Und rufen dir im Grabe zu: Ruhe sanfte, sanfte ruh! Ruht, ihr ausgesognen Glieder! Euer Grab und Leichenstein Soll dem ängstlichen Gewissen Ein bequemes Ruhekissen Und der Seelen Ruhstatt sein. Höchst vergnügt schlummern da die Augen ein. |
68. Chorus We sit down in tears And call to thee in the tomb: Rest softly, softly rest! Rest, ye exhausted limbs! Your grave and tombstone Shall for the unquiet conscience Be a comfortable pillow And the soul’s resting place. In utmost bliss the eyes slumber there. |
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