Issue 95 The Gospel According to J.S. Bach

A Musical Vocabulary for Budding Bach Fans

Bach’s music continues to have an impact

Fueled by his Lutheran faith, J. S. Bach 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

The dates of Bach and important events preceding and following his life.

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