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The Literary Background to Bach's Cantatas
The Literary Background to Bach's Cantatas Author:James Day The relation between music and literature has always been close. Surprisingly, however, it is usually ignored by writers on musical subjects. That's part of what makes this study by an expert on German literature and life so unusual. The rest of the reason lies in Johann Sebastian Bach himself and in his period. — It has long been known the Bach'... more »s interest in literature, philosophy and theology was profound. Probably nowhere else in his work is this interest better reflected than in the more than 300 sacred cantatas that stand as one of Western music's great achievements. This absorbing book sheds much new light on the character of Bach's texts, on his methods of musical expression, and on the intellectual habits and goals of baroque Germany as a whole.
Concise and to the point, illustrated with five full-page plates and with 19 musical examples from the cantatas, and written in a clear, fresh style, this book is an invaluable companion to the music student's work, the performer's approach, and any music lover's listening.« less