This
month of Clef Notes we are looking at all things Bach in honor of his upcoming
birthday on March 21. Last time we looked at the Baroque period of music, the
time during which Bach lived and worked. Did you know that Collegium Cincinnati
is holding their second annual Bach Festival this month? Check out their
website for exciting opportunities to experience some of Bach’s masterpieces
around town.
This
Sunday, March 8, Carlton Monroe and the Cincinnati Bach Ensemble will present
Bach’s motet Jesu, Meine Freude BWV
227 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 5:00pm. Do you plan on going to this
event? This motet was written by Bach shortly following his arrival at Leipzig
where he took up the position of Kantor at the Thomaskirche. It is said that
the piece was composed for the funeral service of the postmaster’s widow,
Johanna Maria Keese. It was typical at that time for composers to write for
functions rather than to write art simply for the sake of art. Throughout his
life, Bach often wrote works that played important roles in his various
careers. For instance, when he worked at churches, he typically wrote pieces
for the service (as in this case). When working for the court, he would write
pieces for court entertainment.
What
is a motet? This musical term changes meaning depending on what era you refer
to however during Bach’s day, it typically meant a sacred vocal composition
used for liturgical purposes. The Jesu,
Meine Freude BWV 227 has eleven movements and is a setting on Johann
Franck’s German hymn from the 1650s. Most likely the Thomaskirche choir that
Bach directed would have sang this motet and others like it during their
services.
Can’t
wait until Sunday to hear this work performed live? You can check out a video here:
