released 1/2/2026

In an extended version of a 2016 interview, music historian Markus Rathey explains some of the historical, theological, and liturgical background that formed Johann Sebastian Bach’s choral compositions. Among the themes he addresses are: the essentially liturgical character of Bach’s cantatas, passions, and oratorios; the differences between Bach’s works and those of his contemporary, George Frideric Handel; the earlier and contemporary composers whose work influenced Bach’s compositional forms; why Bach’s choral music was neglected for decades after his death; the use of operatic conventions in Bach’s compositions (notably the Christmas Oratorio); and the affinities between Bach’s Lutheran theology and medieval mysticism. Markus Rathey’s books include Bach’s Major Vocal Works: Music, Drama, Liturgy and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio: Music, Theology, Culture.

The Sound Thinking post about Bach’s Christmas Oratorio referenced in this Feature’s introduction is available here.

54 minutes

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