“God's Capellmeister”: The Proclamation of Scripture in the Music of J. S. Bach

Abstract

In his musical retelling of Scripture, Johann Sebastian Bach-was motivated by Martin Luther's insight that the combination of music and message, sermo et vox, was an instrument that could effect profound change of hearts and minds [WA 50: 372, 1]. This article assesses the way in which Bach understood his own calling as one of “God's Capellmeister” in presenting and proclaiming the word of God through music.