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Passions, Masses and Oratorios
These forms in the best way reflect the idea of what the faith in God for
Bach was and at the same the extent to which this faith was connected with
his music. These are the master pieces of liturgical music. Everything that
had been created before Bach, was created during his times and after does
not come up to these several compositions.
So first of all two Passions: of St. John and St Mathew, h-moll Mass, four
short Lutheran Masses and several oratorios. Bach, who was Lutheran, wrote
himself that music was supposed to aim at nothing but the praise of God and
new courage. He could not express his Credo better than by means of these
compositions.
If by any unpredictable event we were deprived of everything that was built inside us by the artistic works of the greatest genius of musician geniuses of mankind, we wouldn't be able to recognise ourselves in that emptiness.
Witold Lutosławski
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