Bringing Bach's Music to Life compiles 24 of Craig Smith's most insightful and penetrating essays on the music he devoted his life and career to exploring: J.S. Bach's liturgical cantatas. Supplemented by full Biblical readings, libretti, and copious musical examples, each essay provides a full historical and theological context for the work as well as musical analysis that focuses on how these works can be understood and performed as "musical sermons". The book includes many great works of art that Smith regarded as analogues of the cantatas themselves. A Foreword by eminent composer John Harbison, also a longtime friend and colleague of Smith, is included, as well as a discography, glossary, and full index.
Contents
Table of Contents
Illustration: Portrait of Craig Smith
Introduction
Craig Smith and Emmanuel Music: a history
Foreword
List of Illustrations
Chapter 1. Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75
Chapter 2. Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, BWV 76
Chapter 3. Siehe zu, daß deine Gottesfurcht nicht Heuchelei sei, BWV 179
Chapter 4. Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele, BWV 138
Chapter 5. Christus, der ist mein Leben, BWV 95
Chapter 6. Ich glaube, lieber Herr, hilf meinen Unglauben, BWV 109
Chapter 7. Dazu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes, BWV 40
Illustration: della Francesca Resurrezione
Chapter 8. Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ, BWV 67
Illustration: Petrus Comestor Bible: Dives and Lazarus
Chapter 9. O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 20
Illustration: Duccio: The Calling of Peter and Andrew
Chapter 10. Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 93
Chapter 11. Was frag ich nach der Welt, BWV 94
Chapter 12. Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101
Chapter 13. Jesu der du meine Seele, BWV 78
Chapter 14. Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben, BWV 8
Chapter 15. Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 180
Chapter 16. Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit, BWV 115
Chapter 17. Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, BWV 126
Chapter 18. Herr Jesu Christ, wahr’ Mensch und Gott, BWV 127
Illustration: Fra Angelico: Annunciation
Chapter 19. Wie schön leuchtet die Morgenstern, BWV 1
Illustration: Caravaggio: The Supper at Emmaus
Chapter 20. Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden, BWV 6
Chapter 21. Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42
Illustration: Blake: The Wise and Foolish Virgins
Chapter 22. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140
Chapter 23. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80
Chapter 24. Aus der Tiefen schrei ich zu dir, BWV 131
Chronology of J.S. Bach’s life
Discography
Glossary of Terms
Acknowledgments
Illustration: Craig Smith conducting Emmanuel Music