The Choral Music of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

From Johann Sebastian Bach’s output of choral music—motets, cantatas, oratorios, passions, and masses—come many masterpieces of the Western choral tradition. Instead of following the chronology of Bach’s life, the examination of these various genres serves as an outline for discussing this essential corpus of choral music. Extensive consideration is given to the B-minor Mass, the St. John Passion, and the St. Matthew Passion. An understanding of these larger works requires a thorough grounding in Bach’s cantatas, which become templates for the inner symmetry of his larger compositions.