St Matthew Passion structure

Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), BWV 244, is structured on multiple levels: the composition is structured in three levels of text sources (Gospel, libretto and chorales) and by the different forms that are used for musical expression (arias, recitatives and choruses). Bach took the Gospel text for the composition from Martin Luther's German translation of Matthew 26 and 27. Contemporary poetry in Picander's libretto and chorales comment on the Bible text and open and close most scenes of the narration.

St Matthew Passion structure

Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), BWV 244, is structured on multiple levels: the composition is structured in three levels of text sources (Gospel, libretto and chorales) and by the different forms that are used for musical expression (arias, recitatives and choruses). Bach took the Gospel text for the composition from Martin Luther's German translation of Matthew 26 and 27. Contemporary poetry in Picander's libretto and chorales comment on the Bible text and open and close most scenes of the narration.