Choice 评论

After a formulaic introduction to Bach's life, his theology, his musical language, and 18th-century sacred genres, Stapert (Calvin College) applies the Calvinist Heidelberg Catechism to Bach's work as a framework to demonstrate that the orthodox Lutheranism of Bach is not in conflict with basic tenets of Calvinism. Jaroslav Pelikan's Bach among the Theologians (CH, Apr'87) considered Bach's texts and interpretations as they relate to 18th-century Lutheranism, but Bach's own library, with its copy of August Pfeiffer's Anti-Calvinismus has generally been taken as a statement of his bias against Calvinism. Bach has frequently been called "the fifth evangelist" and his commitment to Christian spirituality has never been questioned. But Stapert's purpose is commendable: he believes that the "sacred" Bach should be studied with the relevant scriptural and interpretative material at hand, rather than listened to in concert halls with no context outside of the music itself. All that needs to be added to Stapert's comments and references on several cantatas, the passions, the Mass, and some other shorter compositions are the scores themselves. One can only agree that Bach, of all composers, deserves consideration and study at this depth. All music collections. ; University of Vermont