A course designed to introduce students to a wide range of repertories and traditions centering around the two Passion settings of J.S. Bach.

Runs alternate years, please check Handbook for details. Two lectures per week as scheduled in MyCampus.

MUSIC2004

One class presentation (10 minutes) mid semester (30%)

Essay 1 (1500 words, 30%, due mid semester)

Essay 2 (2000 words, 40%, due end of semester)

To introduce students to a wide range of repertories and traditions centering around the two Passion settings of J.S. Bach. This will involve a study of the Passion tradition from the 16th-century up to Bach, a study of major baroque forms and genres that play a part in Bach's settings (e.g. opera, oratorio, cantata, concerto, motet, recitative). The close study of works of Bach will also introduce issues of theology and the various ways in which the Gospel narratives can be interpreted.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Identify and differentiate some of the main genres and forms of the Baroque era.
2. Analyse and evaluate Bach's Passion settings and associated repertory.
3. Explain in critical depth the position of Bach's Passion settings within the context of the Lutheran tradition and its theological stances.
4. Analyse in detail the relationship between music and text as might be defined by composers, performers and listeners.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.