Bach's St. John Passion for the Twenty-First Century

This book examines Bach's monumental St. John Passion from a 21st-century perspective, providing a new and comprehensive examination of the music and libretto. Since its composition and first performance in 1724, the St. John Passion has captured the spiritual and musical attention of musicians, audiences, and congregations. Michael Fuchs and Bradley Jenson explore the historical context of the work as well as its performance history and practice. They address important questions regarding the Gospel of John, Martin Luther's theology, and anti-Judaism in the libretto. Combining expert theological and musical analysis, as well as a new English translation, this book is a useful resource for students, musicians, and scholars while being accessible to general audiences with a strong interest in the music of J.S. Bach, highlighting the composer's compositional creativity.

Michael Fuchs is Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin, Superior, USA. Fuchs is also the Director of Choral Activities at First Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minnesota.

Foreword by Christoph Wolff Preface 1. The St. John Passion: Historical Context and 21st-Century Relevance 2. Interpreting the St. John Passion Libretto for the 21st Century 3. Performance History and Practice 4. Bach's Musical Composition 5. Responding to Questions About Antisemitism and Anti-Judaism in the St. John Passion Bibliography Index About the Authors