J. S. Bach's "Leipzig" chorale preludes : music, text, theology / Anne Leahy ; edited by Robin A. Leaver.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Leahy, Anne.

Contributor:

Leaver, Robin A.

Series:

Contextual Bach studies ; no. 3.

Contextual Bach studies ; no. 3

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750. Choräle von verschiedener Art--BWV 651-668.

Bach, Johann Sebastian.

Chorale prelude.

Physical Description:

xxviii, 297 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 2011.

Summary:

In 2007, the great Bach scholar Anne Leahy died at the age of 46. She was a leading light in Bach studies and lecturer at the Dublin Institute of Technology's Conservatory of Music and Drama. Posthumously edited by renowned Bach scholar Robin A. Leaver, Leahy's dissertation research forms the basis for this original study of the preludes to Bach's Leipzig chorales.

Originally composed in Weimar and later revised in Leipzig, Bach's compositions have been a source of some puzzlement. As Leahy notes, "The original intentions of Bach and the possible purpose of this collection might be regarded as speculative." Working from available sources, however, she argues that answers can be found by carefully examining the links among music, hymn texts, and theological sources. From J. S. Bach's deep personal interest in Lutheran theology to his enormous musical passion, Leahy closely considers a series of crucial questions: Does the original manuscript for the chorales simply reflect a random gathering of compositions or is there a common theme in setting? How important is the order of the chorales and what is the theological significance of that order? Were the chorales a unified collection and, if so, which parts were to be included and which not? Indeed, were the chorales themselves part of a larger corpus?

As evidenced in the book, there are no simple answers-underscoring the importance of the relationship between the music and text of the hymns and chorales and outlining a theological pattern that is vital to fully grasping the guiding philosophy of these compositions.

J. S. Bach's "Leipzig" Chorale Preludes: Music, Text, Theology is ideally suited to academics and those with a general interest in the intricate connections between text and music in the composition of religious music. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Komm heiliger Geist, Herre Gott 1

2 An Wasserflüssen Babylon 37

3 Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele 59

4 Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend 79

5 O Lamm Gottes unschuldig 91

6 Nun danket alle Gott 109

7 Von Gott will ich nicht lassen 121

8 Nun komm der Heiden Heiland 137

9 Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr 179

10 Jesus Christus unser Heiland 219

11 Komm Gott Schöpfer heiliger Geist 251

12 Vor deinen Thron tret ich 265.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9780810881815

0810881810

OCLC:

708648757