A Guide to Bach's St Matthew Passion

[@vidarfe]

I know that the video is almost two years old and this comment may never be read, but I'd love to see a similar guide to Bach's St John Passion.

[@erpollock]

James Gilchrist has added so much meaning to a 3 hour performance, in just 32 minutes.

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

The greatest musical work of all time in my opinion. Simply astonishing.

[@PatrickBijvoet]

I agree with hart and soul.

[@jmccallion2394]

What a glorious half hours' enrichment! It is true what Dr. Peter Krefft always states, that J.S. Bach is the easiest reason for the existence of God. Well done also to James Gilchrist for your lovely, scholarly breakdown of such richness of musical transcendence!

[@tesmith47]

Sounds pretty white explaination for imaginary god

[@enzoarayamorales7220]

Its beautiful art either way, no matter if its based on mythology.

[@ariadne4720]

Actually, the existence of Bach makes one almost want to believe God exists. But he doesn't, of course.

[@CatatonicImperfect]

I see Bach's music as a testament to man, not god, for man created this music and no one else. Even if it was tragically done so in service of an imaginary saviour and a power-hungry institution with its cold dogma. I'll reconsider the supernatural when it gives me music like that of Bach.

[@roberto2371]

el hombre creó esta música, pero quién creó al hombre? quién le dio al hombre las capacidades para hacer cosas así? Spoiler: ni tú ni ningún hombre@@CatatonicImperfect

[@PointyTailofSatan]

I am a stoic. I've been in rollover car crashes, crawled out through a broken window, stood up, and wondered what the tow will cost. lol But once I was driving, and the Erbarme Dich started playing. And I knew I had to pull over and stop, because I was probably gonna cry.

[@LoveJoyPeace378]

Thank you, dear Mr Gilchrist, for an excellent overview of Bach's great St Matthew Passion. One could see that what you shared about this great masterpiece came from your heart...I was deeply moved by the music and what you said. Your words were deeply touching.

[@danmitchell5470]

Thank you for interpreting the Passion as set according to genius of Bach. This presentation should be popularized and seen worldwide.

[@aly3002]

Wow! That was incredibly informative and entertaining. I very much enjoyed! I would love to see more classical pieces explained like this.

[@tomlabooks3263]

Thank you for this wonderfully informative and heartfelt video! At 7:30 , the Chorale “Ich will hier bei dir stehen” has been “pilfered” by Paul Simon and published as his song “American Tune”. I looked into it, and I was ready to shout “plagiarism!”, but then I learned that Bach HIMSELF took the melody of this chorale from a secular popular song written by Leo Hassler 50 years before Bach’s Passion! The title is “O Welt, ich muss dich lassen”.

[@lornaianpaterson7421]

James Gilchrist's " musical tour" is absolutely wonderful, sensitively and thoughtfully compiled and enhanced by his glorious singing of the Evangelist's role.

[@dianelabbe801]

An Easter treat of the highest order

[@yashkindaszkiewicz_music5841]

Indeed...

[@colleencupido5125]

Thank you so much for posting this! I hope it attract KZbin watchers/listeners to the greatest choral piece, and this greatest piece of music ever written. Certainly the Holiest, with it's combination of Sadness and Bliss only Bach could do perfectly. Since I was young, I regularly have listened to my CD box of Handel's Messiah, especially on Christmas. Handel has a unique, lyrical way with melody, almost Italianate, that differs from Bach. Bach's St. Matthews Passion evokes a more somber mood, but no one can deny it's reverence and holiness. Bach used a ruler when he wrote out the autograph, with the words of Christ in the German Lutheran Bible- he used red ink, to differentiate the parts of this work which were direct quotes from the Bible. One hundred years after it's premiere in Leipzig, a twenty year old Felix Mendelssohn conducted it to stunning acclaim, and it was never "forgotten" again. For so much of my life my all-time favorite work was Mozart's Requiem, given by request at the funerals of Chopin, John F. Kennedy, and Herbert von Karajan. But I have to say now that this Bach work brings me closest to my Lord.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It's epic because it's written for 2 Choirs each with their own Accompanying Orchestra (Chorus 1 down the Left Channel and Chorus 2 down the Right Channel), and a Center Channel Unison Soprano section.

[@BestForeverMusic]

Amazing, gorgeous and divine! The best work ever created in the world! I love Bach's St. Matthew Passion, I love the music of J. S. Bach forever! Great interpretation, thank you very much! 🙏💖🌟❤️🌟👍

[@colleencupido5125]

Well put :)

[@tesmith47]

Perhaps in the European world

[@davealp669]

SMP has been my favourite for many years. I've been lucky enough to see James Gilchrist as the evangelist at the Royal Festival Hall and he was wonderful.

[@susannabonke8552]

Just saw the Netherlands Bach soviety's rendition which is amazing as well.

[@denisestewart7438]

Deeply touching. Beauty and emotion. ❤️🙏🏻

[@anderslangoks3813]

Thanks so much for this. Always loved this music for its somber beauty, but now I have a clearer understanding of its structure.

[@jc140g]

Thank you James. It's been so instructive, I'll appreciate this work of art much more in the future.

[@PraetorClaudius]

That was wonderful and deeply moving. Fantastic and heartfelt presentation by Gilchrist.

[@djpalindrome]

Engaging and Illuminating insight into this masterful work. Please consider continuing to use your considerable talents in order to make great works more accessible to the general public

[@yashkindaszkiewicz_music5841]

I really enjoyed this a lot! Thank you very much for this! The Choir is amazing!

[@davidliverman4742]

I am so grateful! After working for I.T. sweat shops and dealing with PTSD. I can finally relax from this crazy world! God bless you!

[@smikejasper4461]

Thank you.

[@elianevancraenenbroeck6089]

So beautiful and well commented, a real joy.

[@rohancrafford8050]

Thank you kindly for this guide. It is indeed a wondrous piece of music and this recording has become one of my most treasured.

[@pablochamorrovelasquez3785]

Excelente explicación a esta obra maestra

[@Richie016]

Melodic music 🎶 🎼 for worship!

[@GardenerTobak]

10:17 "Yes, I know I should have turned the page faster. Alright already, I get it! I'll do better next time." Seriously though, this is a truly great video, with wonderful musicians. And no, I'm sure thats not what she's thinking... these are all top notch musicians, and at this level of performance, mistakes like that just don't happen. But having played in many an orchestra myself, I assure you that I definitely have made that mistake myself! :) This is truly the BEST recording ever, both musically, and in the fine explanation provided. This video should be shared and watched in seminary courses everywhere, to show the great beauty of sacred classical music, because sadly, many young people training to become priests and pastors simply do not know it exists. This is precisely the kind of video which could truly help to revive and evangelize classical music and bring it to a wider audience.

[@jeanmelanson448]

Truly a wonderful presentation and analysis! Thanks

[@artzart100]

I love this explanation of this miraculous piece of music, sung with such meaning.

[@userunknown2771]

This was great! I would love to visit Cambridge to experience it myself.

[@jeffdawson2786]

Thanks for this. Very educational. ✝️

[@fidelio5390]

Mr Gilchrist, thank you so much for your passionately pious words which brought more than one tear in my eyes! As to the tempi, I would have preferred the first chorale (had to stop after 11 minutes, but will go on listening tomorrow) to be given a bit slowlier, especially towards the end, but I understand that this is "state of the art" in modern (hurried) times.

[@benjamin.zuniga]

Amazing! Thank so much for sharing this

[@Krieghalter2]

Thankyou sooo much Sir, my total respects for your excellent explanation God bless you!!! Yesterday, September 21 in our Church we celebrates Saint Matthew Evangelist... your video will do a difference to give an accent to this day Blessings ✝️❣🙏🏼

Such a delightfully guide for an amazing piece and beautiful performance, thanks James!

[@erpollock]

"That our innate sinfulness has necessitated Jesus's suffering," quoting James Gilchrist of the end of the first section. This seems the central belief of Christianity as interpreted by the St. Matthew Passion. The beauty and complexity of the oratorio are clear. The message is the foundational belief of Christianity.

[@chrislambert9435]

Thankyou James, my Son will be performing this "Matthews Passion" in April at Norwich Cathedral, He is presently a Chorister under the Tutorage of Ashely Grote. Your presentation has helped me

[@lilianproencademenezesmont4161]

Marvellous ! I am so enchanted to hear this choir and singers and orquestra that I am spellbound.

[@lilianproencademenezesmont4161]

I am loving this guide explaining the moments of the passion. It is a very nice expositions. Love it.

[@g.k.failla9389]

A performance of the St. Matthew Passion was just uploaded by the Music of the Baroque Chorus and Orchestra here, as led by Dame Jane Glover. This Guide to the piece was found at just the right time! From Chicago, U.S.A.

[@daviddorais7720]

Thank you for this wonderful enlightening commentary.

[@BarcelonaAustinA35]

Splendid!

[@PatrickBijvoet]

Thank you mr Gilchrist for this beautiful explanation of the Matthäus Passion, St Matthew Passion. I had ones an explanation in Dutch. But it needed renewing. You did it beautifully. Thank you so much.

[@Bailey2006a]

Excellent presentation. Should be required watching for choral students and anyone who loves the great choral masterworks of western music

[@marshallartz395]

I’m paraphrasing someone else who said: _”If it took the upheaval of the Protestant Reformation to produce the genius of a J. S. Bach, it was worth it.”_ 😎🎹

[@paikiabandboy]

thank you. very much needed and relevant at this time of Lent

[@marialuisathorn9114]

MAGNÍFICO!!! Gracias por ésta guía.

[@arq.margotcueto9524]

thank you so ammazing !!!

[@francesaldridge6372]

Thank you so much. I have loved that work since meeting it at university.

[@grangetowncardiff6935]

Thank you for this. It has helped my understanding of a work of genius. Thank you!

[@jeffscop]

Thank you for this synopsis. I will be seeing this performed in NYC in March. This will make it more the enjoyable.

[@rineric3214]

Excellent! Kudos!

[@jnooyen9076]

Beautifull!

[@lesliegalert3823]

WONDERFULLY EXPLAINED.... 👍❤️

[@chadstaten5586]

Brilliant.

[@kidmarine7329]

Very well done. Thank you Dr. Krefft.

[@patberning]

Thank you,thank you, thank you !

[@thomgeo8073]

GOD created everything, including Bach and St. Matthew Passion, GOD bless you!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I use the Barenreiter edition because it's essentially a cleaned up and neatened version of the original manuscript. The Organ Parts (they can be played on Harpsichord too) have figured and the realization done by Alfred Durr is based on how Bach wrote his Keyboard music.

[@roberto2371]

Gracias!!

[@FriendshipSeven]

Terrific tour through Bach's huge, important masterwork! I was a bit surprised to discover that Mr. Gilchrist, besides providing erudite, insightful commentary, also performs the evangelist vocal part with similar excellence in video clips! One small point that might need correction is the notion that Pilate is the source for the quote "truly this was the son of God" at the crucifixion scene... I think Matthew credits the centurion, not Pilate, with this utterance.

[@susannabonke8552]

At least in biblical tradition

[@FriendshipSeven]

@@susannabonke8552 rather than a single voice rendering rhe words "wahrlich dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen", the line is carried by multiple voices... I think this is because Matthew credits a group ("der Hauptmann und die bei ihm waren") with expressing the sentiment...

[@DavidBuehlerPhD]

Here we have a truly breathtaking performance of the SMP bu Bach! Unforgettable.

[@attilakovacs5803]

Wonderful music and nice explanation! Thank you!

[@jurgenrohrbach4499]

Very nice presentation👍

[@michaelherry5842]

Thank you for a wonderful programme leading into the heart of Bach's sublime music and Christian faith.

[@luisadrianodomingues1968]

Monumental ...

[@Jim-uj3ty]

This is so great. It really helped me to understand it better. Have you done other guides like this? With say Bach's other Passions? If not, please do more of these. Thank you

[@bobsala7780]

I'm ashamed to admit that I watched 26 minutes of this before I realized that the man narrating the video is the same man singing the role of the Evangelist in the performance.

[@andreaskonig451]

And he is one of the very best of our time. Such a wonderful voice. And great diction and profound understanding of the text and context. Thanks for this video.

[@mauriciorodriguez5906]

9:20 Igual yo les compraría un buen metrónomo al "dúo" de la 27-28 ya que como no quieren escucharse el uno al otro, podrían respetar el tiempo

[@georgewernerjr9362]

Anyone who asks, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" has never listened to Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Look to yourself for the cause--and the solution. Reflect.

[@MJ-ce6tv]

Why do bad things happen to good people? That only happened once…..and He volunteered.

[@kathyfalk3249]

​@@MJ-ce6tv That is a brilliant statement. I have quoted you several times since listening to this commentary on SMP a week ago. What a wise answer to that oft-asked question!

[@DanielFlailed]

Neat explanation

[@canman5060]

This greatest masterpiece was accidentally re-discovered by the 18 year old Felix Mendelssohn after it was totally forgotten after JS Bach's death and during the Classical era.

[@charmassacre3941]

21:00

[@sofalvarez]

It’d be so incredible to be able to watch it subtitled...

[@NYCBG]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpXPYaBnq5qYopo

[@chrisholman4295]

👍

[@linatjandra5876]

All the Glory for The LORD JESUS

[@litoboy5]

stunning !!!! bluray?

What about the same explanation for St John Passion. Please

[@zebulon9307]

This performance, although made in Great Britain , was obviously sung in german. Does anybody know if there is a tradition anywhere to perform these pieces in the local languages, or are they commonly accepted to be sung in german?

[@yashkindaszkiewicz_music5841]

I think that they are usually sung in original...

[@heidibanerjee2841]

@@yashkindaszkiewicz_music5841 Yes, because of its depth and the text matching notes. Often, exact translation is not possible. The quint essence gets lost.

[@andrewjdaniels7087]

Until last year I was a member of the Bach Choir in London, which for many years has performed the St. Matthew Passion at the Royal Festival Hall in English on Palm Sunday. This is always an incredibly well attended event and has often featured James Gilchrist as the Evangelist. On one occasion seven years ago we performed it in London as usual in English and at baroque pitch, before flying to Hong Kong the same evening and a week later performing it there in German and in modern pitch. It was like singing two different pieces.

[@zebulon9307]

I´d like to thank deeply those who answered! This gives me a true feeling of being connected to the whole world. Let´s hope that it helps to unite and accept each other. Special thanks to those of you who perform(ed) the pieces throughout the world!

[@andrewjdaniels7087]

@@zebulon9307 We have more in common than that which divides us. Best Wishes.

[@susannabonke8552]

Rezitation und Reflexion..besonders schön: "Ich will bei meinem Jesus wachen" sowie die Jungfrauen aus dem Liebeslied Salomos, die - unsinnigerweise - denken, sie könnten den Geliebten suchen für die Shulamith, die Herzensbraut, welche die Kirche versinnbildlicht, in: "Ach, nun ist mein Jesus hin"

[@doesntmatter9996]

I can't be the only one to notice facial resemblances between Mr Gilchrist and Lord Lloyd-Webber...

[@friedlotto]

Please grace the St John Passion with a similar treatment.

[@mihailucagabriel1934]

I'm Romanian and I'm 14 years old. And I'd like to be part of the college, can I? If so, what should I do?

[@maestrovoci7214]

Dear Mihai, in this lifetime, it would be difficult. But not impossible. It starts with your own desire and will to make it happen, with a healthy dose of persistence. Best wishes. (Your story was mine, 63 years ago.)

[@mihailucagabriel1934]

@@maestrovoci7214 thank you very much,i will try

[@ZeldaZonk-zt8fr]

Forget it

[@francescosunseri4319]

Che nobile desiderio !

[@ariadne4720]

The mythical Jesus was clearly neither patriarchal, nor would he have been a capitalist. Listened to allegorically vis-à-vis patriarchy and capitalism, this music puts the struggle into real perspective. I truly believe that is what makes this music and text so powerful.

[@erpollock]

The "leader" of the violins is what we call the concertmaster in the US.

[@sgpsimonb]

King's College and its choir were founded in 1441, at a university already 232 years old at that time. Why would they care what you call anything in the US?

[@passerineblue]

@@sgpsimonb An innocent comment, not meant to be critical at all.

[@theoperatripleaxel5417]

Erbamedich is Bach's most beautiful composition, period... Agnus Dei is great also, but is from another piece.

[@jensnitsche4994]

Bach hatte wohl einen zutiefst verinnerlichten Glauben. Wie sonst hätte er diese tief bewegende religiöse Musik komponieren können ?

[@docm27]

Any wonder that pogroms became popular?

[@peterhallauthor]

Is the whole performance available? (By the way, the best music in the world is Bach’s St John’s Passion. His St. Matthew’s Passion is the 2nd best! Followed by Handel’s Messiah. That’s my unbiased opinion and I’m sticking to it! Lol)

[@felixfourcolor]

Matthew is better than John!

[@urskuechler4332]

42

[@EC2019]

This analysis is wonderful and the presenter himself is a fabulous evangelist. Pity those boy trebles are just too weak to follow throught with the power suggested in the words, the storm, the rabble, the rioting. There's always something that spoils every Matthew Passion production, it's so sad.

[@urskuechler4332]

43???

[@simontaylor2319]

Who composed the chorals in this epic composition?

[@prokastinatore]

Besides the mass in b-minor, the Matthew-Passion is the masterpiece of composition wich stands alone on top. Even today the Matthew-Passion is almost impossible to perform sufficiently. The world has seen one conductor, who almost made it: Karl Richter ("Münchener Bach-Chor). As nobody before ( and after) Richter touched Bach like nobody else. It's a shame that after his death in 1981 musicians perform it on historical instruments. Bach wood have chosen the best possible voices and instruments if he'd still alive. It's a shame today.

[@borneandayak6725]

Catholic Civilization.

[@NYCBG]

What is “Catholic Civilization “? And what does Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” have to do with it?

[@BillyMandalay]

🙄

[@gunterangel]

Bach was actually a Lutheran-Protestant, not a Catholic !

[@ianhall3822]

Bach is said to have had twenty children, so he must have loved his wives (or at least made love to them, haha). So, according to Jesus, Bach is now roasting in Hell. In Luke 14 verse 26 ,Jesus says “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple." So, Bach, not hating his family, is not a disciple of Jesus, and since only disciples of Jesus go to Heaven, according to Christianity, Bach is now in "the other place". Over to the wiseguys, the theologians, for a reply.

[@carsonwall2400]

I think one would have to be nearly braindead to make this comment

[@salt2live]

Don't worry Ian. In Christianity even the enemies should and will be loved. So do not let you lead on the wrong track. If Jesus wants to express with these words, who is more essential for one's own spiritual life, then this does not mean that you can and should be good to those who are close to you (considering that one shall love even one's own enemies). At least Bach and believing Christians understand it in this sense.

[@BillyMandalay]

look who 's calling others 'wiseguys'. smh