St Matthew Passion

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

The St. Matthew Passion (German: Matthäuspassion) is a musical composition written by Johann Sebastian Bach. The words tell the story of Jesus’s death on the cross as told in chapters 26 and 27 of the Book of St Matthew in the Bible. The work is for a choir, solo voices and orchestra. Both the choir and the orchestra are divided into two sections: Chorus 1 and Chorus 2, Orchestra 1 and Orchestra 2.

The words are from the Bible and by the poet Picander. There were other composers who also wrote works called St Matthew Passion, the most famous being Heinrich Schütz. However, Bach’s St Matthew Passion is thought by many musicians to be the greatest choral work ever written. Two other very great choral works by Bach are his St John Passion and Mass in B minor .

Questions and Answers

Q: Who composed the St. Matthew Passion?

A: Johann Sebastian Bach composed the St. Matthew Passion.

Q: What is the story told in the St. Matthew Passion?

A: The St. Matthew Passion tells the story of Jesus’s death on the cross as written in the Book of St Matthew in the Bible.

Q: What type of musical composition is the St. Matthew Passion?

A: The St. Matthew Passion is a musical composition for a choir, solo voices, and orchestra.

Q: How are the choir and orchestra divided in the St. Matthew Passion?

A: Both the choir and orchestra are divided into two sections: Chorus 1 and Chorus 2, and Orchestra 1 and Orchestra 2.

Q: From where are the words in the St. Matthew Passion taken?

A: The words in the St. Matthew Passion are from the Bible and by the poet Picander.

Q: Who else wrote works called St Matthew Passion?

A: Other composers, including Heinrich Schütz, also wrote works called St Matthew Passion.

Q: What do many musicians consider to be the greatest choral work ever written?

A: Many musicians consider Bach’s St Matthew Passion to be the greatest choral work ever written, alongside his St John Passion and Mass in B minor.