Issue 95

A Musical Vocabulary for Budding Bach Fans

Fueled by his Lutheran faith, the composer devoted his life to creating music for refreshment, proclamation, and praise.

The coffee craze unleashed Bach’s whimsy.

Protestant reformer Martin Luther planted the seed that grew into a rich musical tradition culminating in Bach.

Luther believed that music has the power to teach Christian doctrine. He put this belief into practice with his catechism hymns.

Luther’s example inspired Christian composers to fill the church with the finest music they could create.

When Bach wanted to express the depths of Christ’s suffering, he used the words and melodies of well-known hymns.

As part of his century’s lengthy worship services, Bach’s music reinforced and deepened the proclamation of the Word.

His underlining and marginal comments give us a window into his personal faith.

Bach still speaks to the church today.

With the help of conductor Masaaki Suzuki, Bach’s music is bringing the message of Christian hope to a secular nation.