Bach Passions

Question 1

St. John text sources

Answer 1

Brockes
John ch. 18-19
Postel

Question 2

St. John revisions

Answer 2

1724 – first version
1725 – second version
1730 – third
1740s – restored most of original

Question 3

Herr, unser Herrscher

Answer 3

Was replaced for a while by O Mensch bewein, which ended up as final chorus of St. Matthew, part 1

Question 4

St. John Part 1 arias

Answer 4

Von den Stricken – alto, intertwined oboe lines like the opening chorus
Ich folge dir gleichfalls – soprano and flute
Ach, mein Sinn – tenor with tutti instruments (also “Behold thy mother” hymn)

Question 5

St. John part 2 arias

Answer 5

Betrachte, meine Seel – bass recit. / Erwäge – tenor (lute and two viole d’amore)
Eilt, ihr angefocthnen Seelen – bass
Es ist vollbracht – alto and viola da gamba
Mein teurer Heiland – bass and cello (right after Jesus’ death)
Mein herz – tenor, on the St. Matthew text interpolation about the earthquake

Ruht wohl

Question 6

St. Matthew revisions

Answer 6

1727 (or 1729) – first version
1736 – 2nd version, big expansion
1740s – final version, which is common today

Question 7

St. Matthew text

Answer 7

St. Matthew ch. 26-7
Picander
Misc. earlier hymns

Question 8

St. Matthew choruses

Answer 8

Kommt, ihr Töchter – massive, includes “O Lamm Gottes”

O Mensch, bewein – connection with St. John, end of part I

Question 9

St. Matthew arias

Answer 9

Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen – tenor

Mache dich, mein Herze, rein – bass