St Matthew Passion structure

St Matthew Passion
BWV 244
Passion by J. S. Bach
Schmerzensmann (Man of sorrows) by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1515)
Native namePassio Domini Nostri J.C. Secundum Evangelistam Matthaeum
RelatedBWV 244a
OccasionGood Friday
TextPicander
Bible textMatthew 26–27
Chorale
Performed11 April 1727 (1727-04-11): Leipzig
Movements68 in two parts (29 + 39)
Vocal
InstrumentalTwo orchestras, each of
  • 2 recorders
  • 2 flauti traversi
  • 2 oboes
  • 2 oboes da caccia
  • 2 oboes d'amore
  • bassoon
  • 2 violins
  • viola
  • viola da gamba
  • continuo

Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), BWV 244, is structured on multiple levels: the composition is structured in three levels of text sources (Gospel, libretto and chorales) and by the different forms that are used for musical expression (arias, recitatives and choruses).

Bach's large choral composition was written to present the Passion of Jesus, as told in the Gospel of Matthew, in a vespers service on Good Friday. It is composed in two parts, that were to be performed before and after the sermon of that service. Part I covers the events until the arrest of Jesus and Part II concludes with his burial and the sealing of his grave.

Bach took the Gospel text for the composition from Martin Luther's German translation of Matthew 26 and 27. Contemporary poetry in Picander's libretto and chorales comment on the Bible text and open and close most scenes of the narration.[1][2][3]

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