Composer or Preacher
Most say Johann Sebastian Bach was a brilliant musician; few will say he was a glorious preacher. His elegant music not only provided entertainment to its listeners, but it also shaped religion in Europe with its extravagant tones and harmonious chords.
In 1723 Bach was selected to be Cantor for the St. Thomas Church of Leipzig (Sermons 1) (Singing 2). Bach trade was arranging “musical extension[s] to the sermon preached from the pulpit…, loosely based on the readings for the day and also incorporate[d] the Lutheran tradition of hymn-writing, the chorale” (Singing 2). During his career he composed multiple “musical sermons”, also known now as cantatas, for every Sunday of the religious calendar and various religious holidays. Bach moved whole congregations closer to the Lord through these spiritual “motets” or “concertos” –as he would have called them. When Bach composed for the church, he wrote a quantity of the most sacred music of that time. Church services of that era could and would normally last anywhere from 3 hours and up (Singing 9). Robin A. Leavers said that “as part of his century’s lengthy worship services, Bach’s Music reinforced and deepened the proclamation of the word” (Sermons 1). “Bach would take the text of the Gospel and its literal meaning” and create a heavenly hue of cords and tones that would strike the hearts of the worshipers and draw them closer into the Word and closer to God himself (Sermons 18). Most of Bach’s music also had underlying theological notions. Such as, Mass in F, had countless parts and cords that came in threes, awakening the idea of the Trinity in the congregation’s souls.
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