Johann Sebastian Bach's St John Passion: Genesis, Transmission, and Meaning

Contents

• Preface
• 1 Genesis
• Introduction. Did Bach compose a Passion before 1724?
• 1. Version I (1724)
• 2. Version II (1725)
• 3. Version III (c. 1730)
• 4. Version IV (c. 1749)
• 5. Score A
• 2 Transmission
• 1. The lost original score X (1724?)
• 2. The revised score (source A, c. 1739-1749)
• 3. The original parts: Introduction
• Set I
• Set II
• Set III
• Set IV
• Parts no longer extant
• 3 Meaning
• 1. Protestant settings of the Passion
• 2. The text of the St John Passion: a. The depiction of the Passion in the Gospel according to St John
• b. The Gospel text
• c. The chorale verses
• d. The free poetry
• 3 Bach's music: a. The setting of the biblical narrative
• b. The chorale movements
• c. The choruses
• d. The arias and ariosos
• 4 Problms associated with the overall formal design and the different versions
• 5 Performance practice: a. General remarks
• b. The execution of the continuo
• c. Specific problems
• Appendices: Problematical Points
• Appendix I The participation of transverse flutes in Version I
• Appendix II The reconstruction of Movement 33 in Version I
• Appendix III The chronology of the Passions Bach performed in Leipzig
• Appendix IV The problem of symmetry in Bach's work
• Bibliography
• Picture Credits
• Text of the St John Passion (German & English)