Johann Sebastian Bach: The Fifth Evangelist | Music Documentary (Bachfest Leipzig 2013)

A homage to Johann Sebastian Bach, the composer of the Christian message: the music documentary Vita Christi—Bach, the Fifth Evangelist was produced for the 2013 Bach Festival Leipzig. With the theme, "Vita Christi", that year's edition of the festival retold the life of Jesus Christ in oratorios, masses and cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach and composers close to him. Peter Schlögl's music documentary highlights the festival program, shows rehearsals and concert excerpts and hears from musicians and Bach experts.

Years later, the timeless quality of this documentary is still evident. Not only does it provide insight into the authentic places where Johann Sebastian Bach worked, it also convincingly conveys the motives of the important Baroque composer. Bach was a Christian composer, who placed himself and his work entirely at the service of God. His compositions retell the life of Jesus Christ as if they were one of the four Gospels of the New Testament. This is why Bach is referred to as the “Fifth Evangelist.”

At a glance:
(00:00) Introduction: The legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach
(00:59) The Bachfest Leipzig 2013 "Vita Christi" retold the life of Jesus Christ in music, in oratorios, masses and cantatas
(00:59) Music excerpt: J.S. Bach: Chorus "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (from the Cantata "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme", BWV 140) | St. Thomas Choir & Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, Georg Christoph Biller (conductor)
(02:32) Statements from festival visitors
(02:53) Biography: Bach comes to Leipzig
(03:30) Stefan Altner, Managing Director of the St. Thomas Choir Leipzig: Bach is the origin of most of today's music
(03:56) Pianist & composer Ketil Bjørnstad improvises on Bach's music and reflects on its existential content
(06:51) Biography: Bach's work in Leipzig
(07:38) Christoph Wolff, Director of the Bach Archive Leipzig: How Bach directed the St. Thomas Choir
(08:19) History of the St. Thomas Choir
(08:50) Georg Christoph Biller, Musical Director of the St. Thomas Choir: It is the St Thomas's Choir’s responsibility to regularly perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach
(09:17) Rehearsal: J.S. Bach: "Cum Sancto Spiritu" (from the Mass in B minor, BWV 232) | St. Thomas Choir, Georg Christoph Biller (conductor)
(10:28) Georg Christoph Biller, Musical Director of the St. Thomas Choir: The Mass in B minor is an expression of Bach's skill and thinking
(10:49) Christoph Wolff, Director of the Bach Archive Leipzig: The Kyrie and Gloria set an incomparable final accent in the Mass in B minor
(11:47) Christoph Wolff, Director of the Bach Archive Leipzig: The Credo of the Mass in B minor is a short summary of the life of Christ and the story of salvation
(12:05) The theological significance of Bach and the spirituality of his music
(12:47) Stefan Altner, Managing Director of the St. Thomas Choir: Bach's music not only appeals to the intellect but also touches people emotionally
(13:05) Bach as a Lutheran composer
(13:22) Christoph Wolff, Director of the Bach Archive Leipzig: During Bach's lifetime, Protestant church music was of immense importance
(14:02) Bach's deep religiousness
(14:21) Helmut Loos, Musicologist: Bach made music at the service of God
(14:45) Bach's work at the St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig
(15:31) Rehearsal: J.S. Bach: Sinfonia (from the Cantata "Christ lag in Todesbanden", BWV 4) | Chamber Choir & Hofkapelle Stuttgart, Frieder Bernius (conductor)
(16:22) Frieder Bernius, conductor Chamber Choir Stuttgart: Bach's music convincingly conveys the Christian message
(17:02) Rehearsal: J. S. Bach: Aria "Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn" (from the Cantata "Christ lag in Todesbanden", BWV 4) | Andreas Weller (tenor), Hofkapelle Stuttgart, Frieder Bernius (conductor)
(19:03) Bach is the” fifth evangelist,” because his works retell the Christian story of salvation
(19:25) Helmut Loos, Musicologist: Bach's music is proclamation—and deliberately elaborate proclamation at that
(19:50) Rehearsal: J.S. Bach: Chorus "Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg" (from the Cantata "Christ lag in Todesbanden", BWV 4) | Chamber Choir Stuttgart, Frieder Bernius (conductor)
(22:01) The Leipzig Chamber Choir Josquin des Préz presents a program with music from Bach's circle, including by Johann Kuhnau, who was musical director of the St. Thomas Choir before Johann Sebastian Bach
(22:40) Christoph Wolff, Director of the Bach Archive Leipzig: Bach was influenced by Kuhnau
(22:58) Music excerpt: Johann Kuhnau: Motet "Tristis est anima mea" (Sad is my soul) | Chamber Choir Josquin des Préz, Ludwig Böhme (conductor)
(23:53) Ludwig Böhme, conductor Chamber Choir Josquin des Préz: The Bach Festival is like home to him, and Bach is simply the greatest composer
(25:15) Bach was a sensuous man, a humble medieval craftsman who worked to honor God

© Deutsche Welle 2013

#johannsebastianbach #musicdocumentary

[tomarmstrong]

Knowing and being able to play just one composition by Bach is a life that is not entirely wasted.

[peteacher]

As a little boy in the early 50s, I just "knew" that the music of Bach and Handel (and later, Purcell) when I heard snippets on the radio or at church, was 'proper' music. Then in 1962 aged 15, while my friends were into the popular singers of the day, I bought an LP of Cochereau playing Bach at Notre Dame with birthday present monies! I still have it.

[badiarov]

Picture this (someone who grew up in communist Leipzig, might as well imagine it). Nalchik, Soviet Union, 1974. A long, dark green-painted corridor lit with just two lamps, giving off a weak yellowish light. There were two windows, one at each end, and dozens of doors on either side of the corridor. This corridor was home to some 50 or more families, with a single kitchen shared by all, and just one toilet. There were no showers, rooms lacked running water. Behind each of those doors, you could hear music – for this was the local theater's dormitory where my family lived in a tiny room for 10 years. Music (and cockroaches) were abundant.

Next to the window, at one door, you'd find a 5-year-old boy, breathless, leaning with his ear pressed to the keyhole. Heavenly sounds of a violin flowed through the keyhole. It was a stark contrast to the surrounding environment, almost like a scene from a movie. The boy in that moment was me, but the details are minor.

Eight years later, at the age of 15, I moved to St. Petersburg. There, I saw a music shop for the first time in my life. I picked up a book – J.S. Bach, Sonatas and Partitas. 'What is this? I've never heard of it.' I brought it home and started playing it on the violin. It was then that I realized that this was the music my professor had been playing all those years, a secret I hadn't dared to inquire about. I believed that music so perfect could only have been created by him.

However, I knew I wanted to become a musician, to immerse myself in that world, and to share that better world with people. Life isn't a bowl of cherries, as one saying goes, but it is the music of Bach that gave me the power to do what most deemed impossible, risky, or downright dangerous. It guided me to where I am today. I think others might also want to listen to Bach and find that otherworldly, spiritual power to achieve their desires. Thank you for creating this beautiful video.

[manoelnt]

Bach bestowed upon us an immense gift: the kind of music that God might request the angels to play for Him. Bach is the greatest composer.

[qijq]

Bach sits on my own personal Mt Rushmore of human genius alongside Aristotle, da Vinci, and Newton. These are the foundational individuals who have shaped human culture, knowledge, and understanding. Each is irreplaceable.

[mencken]

Endlessly performed, analyzed, celebrated, loved….and yet remaining a towering enigma.

[MrYuryZ]

J.S. Bach to me is more than just a composer. It's true that he is 5th Evangelist. And his music is more than just a music but like a language through which God conveys His message. I can't stop listening to his music since I've discovered his Sublime Beauty, Peace and hormony. Even started to learn to play keyboard because of his music. I am sure the World would be the better place if we all listen to His Music. Anyway, thank you for this documentary and may God bless DW Team and theirs loved ones.

[Luboman]

I fell in love with Bach as a teenager. I remember precisely when--I was flipping through channels when I was 13, bored, and then landed on this public broadcast channel. The first movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 was playing with these ethereal anime paintings shown on the screen. I was discovering anime at the time, so I stopped to view the paintings. But soon the music really caught my fancy and my attention was drawn to that rather than the visuals. I was totally struck at how wonderfully sonorous and beautiful it was--like the finest balance of melody, harmony and chords coming together. Nothing more or nothing less. I then vowed to procure a CD of the Brandenburg Concertos. And I've been completely hooked ever since.

[jamescottone]

The first time I encountered Bach was singing the Magnificat in high school choir. We sang 2 or 3 movements of it. I LOVED it.

[oludotunjohnshowemimo]

Bach was indeed very busy, music teacher for private and public students, composing cantatas every week for Sunday services at most of the churches as well as composing music for major events in the town. He was essentially the DJ of Leipzig,

[BobbyL]

I've been calling Bach the 5th evangelist for decades. Thank you for posting this.

[jasongotcello]

Bach is my favorite composer, he values every note and makes every note unique. His music is so soothing and is just out of this world. His ability to write such complicated music is just unmatched. Overall, every one of Bach's compositions is just a masterpiece

[tomarmstrong]

Vibrations in the air, transcending time, and continents, and national language. Full of meaning and emotion. As fresh and as relevant as the day Johan gave them birth. No other forms of expression has touched the heart of so many to the same extent. Nothing short of miraculous.

[andreasisenberg]

Very nice documentary. I didn't know about the Bachfest Leipzig and just decided I will travel there and partake in one of those wonderful festivals, like a kind of pilgrimage every true lover of JSB has to do once in his life.

[tomarmstrong]

Bach's music resonates at a basic level with all ages and cultures, but for the religiously inclined, I can appreciate how it builds a bridge between this life and the life to come.

[barney]

Stefan Altner is correct. Foundation is the word. Bach's music is the foundation of all western music. It gives glory to God.

[Freawulf]

One of the most exciting memories of my life was when I attended Bachfest back in 2019... Can't wait to get back!

[walteralvarezperalta]

El mejor de tos, el mejor.cuando muera quiero seguir escuchándole allá en el Paraíso. Saludos desde Lima

[longhaulblue]

Thank you for a lovely video. It brought back memories. I made my Bach pilgrimage on my birthday a few years ago. Ein Fahrradtour. Riding through all the towns he lived in, starting in Eisenach, and ending in Leipzig where I attended the weekend concert at St. Thomas. I was moved to tears. Grateful I was able to be there, to hear the music of the composer who means to most to me.

[tulsiannerose]

I just received the full collection of his music on CD's for free at the Library. A Godsend! ⚘️