Text of St Mathew Passion (German / English)
The St Matthew Passion (German: Matthäus-Passion), BWV 244, is a Passion, a sacred
oratorio written for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra, with libretto by Picander.
It sets the 26th and 27th chapters of the Gospel of Matthew (in the Luther Bible) to music,
with interspersed chorales and arias. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces
of Baroque sacred music. The original Latin title "Passio Domini nostri J.C. secundum
Evangelistam Matthæum" translates to "The Passion of our Lord J[esus] C[hrist] according
to the Evangelist Matthew".
The St Matthew Passion is the second of two Passion settings by Bach that have survived in
their entirety, the first being the St John Passion, first performed in 1724.
The St Matthew Passion was probably first performed on 11 April (Good Friday) 1727 in the
St. Thomas Church, and again on 15 April 1729, 30 March 1736, and 23 March 1742. Bach then
revised it again between 1743 and 1746.
Bach's music fell out of favor soon after his death. A revival of his works began in the late
1820s when Felix Mendelssohn conducted performances of St Mathew Passion starting on March
11, 1829 in Berlin. Thereafter, Bach's music increasingly became more popular.
The St Matthew Passion is set for two choirs and two orchestras. Characters include the
Evangelist (the narrator), Jesus, Judas, Peter, two witnesses, two priests, Pilate and his wife.
The work is in two acts and takes over two and a half hours to perform.
A great performance with English subtitles:
Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe, conductor (play - 2 hours, 43 min)
Selections:
Erbarme dich, mein Gott (Have mercy, my God) - Soprano aria with violins (6:00)
Free Jesus or Barabbas? (recitative, chorus, prayer) (3:00)
It sets the 26th and 27th chapters of the Gospel of Matthew (in the Luther Bible) to music,
with interspersed chorales and arias. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces
of Baroque sacred music. The original Latin title "Passio Domini nostri J.C. secundum
Evangelistam Matthæum" translates to "The Passion of our Lord J[esus] C[hrist] according
to the Evangelist Matthew".
The St Matthew Passion is the second of two Passion settings by Bach that have survived in
their entirety, the first being the St John Passion, first performed in 1724.
The St Matthew Passion was probably first performed on 11 April (Good Friday) 1727 in the
St. Thomas Church, and again on 15 April 1729, 30 March 1736, and 23 March 1742. Bach then
revised it again between 1743 and 1746.
Bach's music fell out of favor soon after his death. A revival of his works began in the late
1820s when Felix Mendelssohn conducted performances of St Mathew Passion starting on March
11, 1829 in Berlin. Thereafter, Bach's music increasingly became more popular.
The St Matthew Passion is set for two choirs and two orchestras. Characters include the
Evangelist (the narrator), Jesus, Judas, Peter, two witnesses, two priests, Pilate and his wife.
The work is in two acts and takes over two and a half hours to perform.
| NBA | 16 scenes[3] | Archiv[6] |
|---|---|---|
| Part I | ||
| 1–4a | 1. "The chief priests seek to destroy Jesus" | Anointing in Bethany |
| 4b–6 | 2. "Jesus is anointed with precious ointment" | |
| 7–8 | 3. "Judas plans the betrayal of Christ" | The Lord's Supper |
| 9a–11 | 4. "The disciples prepare the Passover meal" | |
| 12–13 | 5. "The Last Supper" | |
| 14–17 | 6. "The Agony in the Garden" | |
| 18–25 | In Gethsemane | |
| 26–29 | 7. "The arrest of Jesus" | |
| Part II | ||
| 30–35 | 8. "The hearing before high priest Caiaphas" | False Witness |
| 36–37 | Interrogation by Caiaphas and Pilate | |
| 38–40 | 9. "Peter's denial of Christ, and his remorse" | |
| 41–44 | 10. "Judas' repentance and death" | |
| 45–52 | 11. "The trial before Pontius Pilate" | Jesus' Delivery and Flagellation |
| 53–54 | 12. "Soldiers crown Jesus with thorns, mocking him" | |
| 55–60 | 13. "Crucifixion" | Crucifixion |
| 61–63b | 14. "Death of Jesus, followed by an earthquake" | |
| 63c–66a | 15. "Descent from the Cross; Christ's burial" | The Interment |
| 66b–68 | 16. "Chief priests demand the tomb be sealed" | |
A great performance with English subtitles:
Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe, conductor (play - 2 hours, 43 min)
Selections:
Erbarme dich, mein Gott (Have mercy, my God) - Soprano aria with violins (6:00)
Free Jesus or Barabbas? (recitative, chorus, prayer) (3:00)
O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden (Oh head full of blood and wounds) - Recitative & chorale (4:00)
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