St Matthew Passion structure

St Matthew Passion
BWV 244
Passion by J. S. Bach
File:05-Cranach1.jpg Schmerzensmann (Man of sorrows) by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1515)
Native name	Passio Domini Nostri J.C. Secundum Evangelistam Matthaeum
Related	BWV 244a
Occasion	Good Friday
Text	Picander
Bible text	Matthew 26–27
Chorale	Nikolaus Decius Johann Heermann Paul Gerhardt Albert, Duke in Prussia Sebald Heyden Adam Reusner Johann Rist
Performed	11 April 1727 (1727-04-11): Leipzig
Movements	68 in two parts (29 + 39)
Vocal	Two choirs SATB Evangelist Vox Christi Solo: soprano, alto, tenor, bass, soliloquents
Instrumental	Two orchestras, each of 2 recorders 2 flauti traversi 2 oboes 2 oboes da caccia 2 oboes d'amore bassoon 2 violins viola viola da gamba continuo

Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), BWV 244, is structured on multiple levels: the composition is structured in three levels of text sources (Gospel, libretto and chorales) and by the different forms that are used for musical expression (arias, recitatives and choruses). Bach's large choral composition was written to present the Passion of Jesus, as told in the Gospel of Matthew, in a vespers service on Good Friday. It is composed in two parts, that were to be performed before and after the sermon of that service. Part I covers the events until the arrest of Jesus and Part II concludes with his burial and the sealing of his grave. Bach took the Gospel text for the composition from Martin Luther's German translation of Matthew 26 and 27. Contemporary poetry in Picander's libretto and chorales comment on the Bible text and open and close most scenes of the narration.

Numbering of the movements

Bach did not number the sections of the St Matthew Passion but twentieth-century scholars have done so. The Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV, Bach Works Catalog) divides the work into 78 numbers (vocal movements), while the Neue Bach-Ausgabe (NBA, New Bach Edition) divides the piece into 68 movements. Both use lettered subsections in some cases. Movement numbers in this article follow the NBA scheme, except for the table with the movements that cross-references both numbering systems.

Text based structure

The text is taken from three sources: the biblical texts, contemporary poetry by Picander and chorales.

Scene division based on the Gospel text

The St Matthew Passion can be divided in scenes or "stations" that follow the dramatic action of the Gospel account in different locations. Whatever the chosen scene division (none of them indicated by the composer in the score), scenes end on an aria, a chorus, or in the midst of a Gospel text section. In the latter case the ending of the scene would usually be on a turba chorus, such as Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen ending the scene where Jesus dies at the cross. New scenes begin with Gospel text sung by the Evangelist, except the first scene of each of the two parts of the composition. In other words, except for the chorus and aria that open Part One and Part Two, chorales and arias are a meditation after the narration of the action in the sung Gospel text.

NBA	16 scenes	Archiv
Part I
1–4a	1. "The chief priests seek to destroy Jesus"	Anointing in Bethany
4b–6	2. "Jesus is anointed with precious ointment"
7–8	3. "Judas plans the betrayal of Christ"	The Lord's Supper
9a–11	4. "The disciples prepare the Passover meal"
12–13	5. "The Last Supper"
14–17	6. "The Agony in the Garden"
18–25		In Gethsemane
26–29	7. "The arrest of Jesus"
Part II
30–35	8. "The hearing before high priest Caiaphas"	False Witness
36–37		Interrogation by Caiaphas and Pilate
38–40	9. "Peter's denial of Christ, and his remorse"
41–44	10. "Judas' repentance and death"
45–52	11. "The trial before Pontius Pilate"	Jesus' Delivery and Flagellation
53–54	12. "Soldiers crown Jesus with thorns, mocking him"
55–60	13. "Crucifixion"	Crucifixion
61–63b	14. "Death of Jesus, followed by an earthquake"
63c–66a	15. "Descent from the Cross; Christ's burial"	The Interment
66b–68	16. "Chief priests demand the tomb be sealed"

Libretto

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), who collaborated with Bach, wrote text for recitatives and arias, and for the large scale choral movements that open and close the Passion. Other libretto sections came from publications by Salomo Franck and Barthold Heinrich Brockes. Scenes can be opened and closed by arias: No. 6 Buß und Reu, an aria for alto, concludes the scene at Bethany. Part II opens with an aria, Ach! nun ist mein Jesus hin!.

Chorales

See also: List of chorale harmonisations by Johann Sebastian Bach § BWV 244–244b

The oldest chorale chosen for the Passion dates from 1525. Bach used the hymns in different ways, most are four-part setting, two are the cantus firmus of the two chorale fantasias framing Part I, one as a commenting element in a tenor recitative. Three of the texts Bach used for chorale settings are written by Paul Gerhardt. Bach included five stanzas of his "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden" in the Passion, and he uses the first two stanzas of the poem to conclude the Flagellation scene.

Chorales in St Matthew Passion

Author	Date	Hymn; Stanza		Stanza incipit	No.	Set as...
Nikolaus Decius	1541	O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig	1	O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig	1	cantus firmus in choral movement
Johann Heermann	1630	Herzliebster Jesu	1	Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen	3	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1647	O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben	5	Ich bin's, ich sollte büßen	10	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1656	O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	5	Erkenne mich, mein Hüter	15	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1656	O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	7	Es dient zu meinen Freuden	17	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1656	O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	6	Ich will hier bei dir stehen	17	four-part chorale
Johann Heermann	1630	Herzliebster Jesu	3	Was ist doch wohl die Ursach	19	coro II in tenor recitative
Albert, Duke of Prussia	1547	Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit	1	Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit	25	four-part chorale
Christian Keymann	1658	Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht	6	Jesum laß' ich nicht von mir	29	four-part chorale
Sebald Heyden	1525	O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß	1	O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß	29	cantus firmus in choral movement
Adam Reusner	1533	In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr	5	Mir hat die Welt trüglich gericht'	32	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1647	O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben	3	Wer hat dich so geschlagen	37	four-part chorale
Johann Rist	1642	Werde munter, mein Gemüte	6	Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen	40	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1656	Befiehl du deine Wege	1	Befiehl du deine Wege	44	four-part chorale
Johann Heermann	1630	Herzliebster Jesu	4	Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe!	46	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1656	O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	1	O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	54	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1656	O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	2	Du edles Angesichte	54, cont.	four-part chorale
Paul Gerhardt	1656	O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	9	Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden	62	four-part chorale
Notes

Musical structure

File:BWV 244 Nr. 71.jpg

Beginning of recitative No. 61a (NBA), the Biblical quotation written in red

The work is composed for double choir, double orchestra, and vocal soloists. The choirs are abbreviated Ch I and Ch II, individual voice parts as S (soprano), A (alto), T (tenor), and B (bass). Both choirs are four-part, SATB. The orchestra consists of woodwinds, strings, and basso continuo (Bc). Woodwinds are recorders, flauto traverso (transverse flute) (Ft), oboe (Ob), oboe d'amore (Oa), and oboe da caccia (Oc). Strings are violin (Vn), solo violin (Vs), viola (Va), lute (Lt), and viola da gamba (Vg). Continuo are violoncello, double bass, bassoon, and organ. The Bible story is told by the Evangelist (Ev) in secco recitative, and by the characters that have direct speech in the narrative. The speech of Jesus sings in accompagnato recitative, except at the beginning of No. 61a where Jesus utters his last words "Eli, Eli, lama, lama asabthani" [sic] in recitative secco (see facsimile image on the right). The speech of other persons, called soliloquents, is also set as secco recitative. Soliloquents are Judas (B), Peter (B), two witnesses (A T), two high priests (B), two maids (S), Pilate (B), and his wife (S). The speech of groups such as the disciples and the crowd, are expressed in turba choruses. Reflecting thoughts on contemporary poetry appear as sequence of recitatives (rec) and arias, sometimes just the latter, and in choral movements. Most chorales are four-part settings. Several movements use a combination of forms, such as an aria with chorale, a chorale fantasia, a chorus with a chorale as a cantus firmus. Chorales were performed by both groups combined, with each voice type in unison. Movement 63b, Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen (Truly, this man was God's own Son most truly), is treated the same way. Part I ends with a chorale fantasia that is based on the opening chorus of the St John Passion in its second version, also performed by both choirs in unison, whereas the opening chorus is for double choir with the chorale "O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig" as the cantus firmus, which was originally played, later sung. The closing chorus is in da capo form for two choirs.

Movements

Column 1 of the table is the movement number in the Neue Bach-Ausgabe; column 2 is this number in the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis. The last column shows the incipit, the first measures of each movement with text.

Structure of St Matthew Passion, Part I

NBA	BWV	Gospel	Ch 1	Ch II	Key	Time	Instr.	Beginning of text	Source	Incipit
1	1	Chorale S	Ch I	Ch II	E minor	12 8	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen + chorale O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig as cantus firmus	Picander + Nicolaus Decius	File:BWV 244 Nr. 1 Kommt, ihr Töchter.svg
2	2	Ev, Jesus			G major → B minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Da Jesus diese Rede vollendet hatte	Mt 26:1–2	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 2 Da Jesus diese Rede.svg
3	3		Chorale		B minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Herzliebster Jesu	Johann Heermann	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 3 Herzliebster Jesu.svg
4a	4	Ev			D major → C major	common time	Bc	Da versammleten sich die Hohenpriester	Mt 26:3–4	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 4 Da versammleten sich.svg
4b	5	Ch I		Ch II	C major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Ja nicht auf das Fest	Mt 26:5	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 5 Ja nicht auf das Fest.svg
4c	6	Ev			C major → A minor	common time	Bc	Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien	Mt 26:6–8a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 6 Da nun Jesus war.svg
4d	7	Ch I			A minor → D minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Wozu dienet dieser Unrat	Mt 26:8b–9	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 7 Wozu dienet dieser Unrat.svg
4e	8	Ev, Jesus			B♭ major → E minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Da das Jesus merkete	Mt 26:10–13	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 8 Da das Jesus merkete.svg
5	9		Rec A		B minor → F♯ minor	common time	2Ft Bc	Du lieber Heiland du	Salomo Franck	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 9 Du lieber Heiland du.svg
6	10		Aria A		F♯ minor	3 8	2Ft Bc	Buß und Reu	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 10 Buß und Reu.svg
7	11	Ev, Judas			D major → B minor	common time	Bc	Da ging hin der Zwölfen einer	Mt 26:14–16	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr.11 Da ging hin der Zwölfen einer.svg
8	12		Aria S		B minor	common time	2Ft 2Vn Va Bc	Blute nur, du liebes Herz!	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 12 Blute nur.svg
9a	13	Ev			G major	common time	Bc	Aber am ersten Tage der süßen Brot	Mt 26:17a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 13 Aber am ersten Tage.svg
9b	14	Ch I			G major	3 4	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Wo willst du, daß wir dir bereiten	Mt 26:17b	File:BWV244 Incipit Nr. 14 Wo willst du.svg
9c	15	Ev, Jesus			G major → C major	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Er sprach: Gehet hin in die Stadt	Mt 26:18–21	File:BWV244 Incipit Nr. 15 Er sprach Gehet hin.svg
9d		Ev			B♭ minor → F minor	common time	Bc	Und sie wurden sehr betrübt	Mt 26:22a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 15a Und sie wurden sehr betrübt.svg
9e		Ch I			F minor → C minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Herr, bin ich's?	Mt 26:22b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 15b Herr, bin ich's.svg
10	16		Chorale		A♭ major	common time	2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Ich bin's, ich sollte büßen	Paul Gerhardt	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 16 Ich bin's, ich sollte büßen.svg
11	17	Ev, Jesus, Judas			F minor → G major	common time–6 4	2Vn Va Bc	Er antwortete und sprach	Mt 26:23–29	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 17 Er antwortete und sprach.svg
12	18		Rec S		E minor → C major	common time	2Oa Bc	Wiewohl mein Herz in Tränen schwimmt	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 18 Wiewohl mein Herz.svg
13	19		Aria S		G major	6 8	2Oa Bc	Ich will dir mein Herze schenken	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 19 Ich will dir mein Herze schenken.svg
14	20	Ev, Jesus			B minor → E major	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Und da sie den Lobgesang gesprochen hatten	Mt 26:30–32	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 20 Und da sie den Lobgesang.svg
15	21		Chorale		E major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Erkenne mich, mein Hüter	Paul Gerhardt	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 21 Erkenne mich.svg
16	22	Ev, Jesus, Peter			A major → G minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Petrus aber antwortete	Mt 26:33–35	File:BWV 224 Incipit Nr. 22 Petrus aber antwortete.svg
17	23		Chorale		E♭ major	common time	2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Ich will hier bei dir stehen	Paul Gerhardt	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 23 Ich will hier bei dir stehen.svg
18	24	Ev, Jesus			F major → A♭ major	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Da kam Jesus mit ihnen zu einem Hofe	Mt 26:36–38	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 24 Da kam Jesus.svg
19	25		Rec T	Ch II Chorale	F minor → G major	common time	2Fl 2Oc 2Vn Va Bc	O Schmerz! Hier zittert das gequälte Herz	Picander + Johann Heermann	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 25 O Schmerz.svg
20	26		Aria T	Ch II	C minor	common time	2Ft Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 26 Ich will bei meinem Jesu.svg
21	27	Ev, Jesus			B major → G minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Und ging hin ein wenig	Mt 26:39	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 27 Und ging hin ein wenig.svg
22	28		Rec B		D minor → B♭ major	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Der Heiland fällt vor seinem Vater nieder	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 28 Der Heiland fällt.svg
23	29		Aria B		G minor	3 8	2Vn Bc	Gerne will ich mich bequemen	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 29 Gerne will ich mich.svg
24	30	Ev, Jesus			F major → B minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Und er kam zu seinen Jüngern	Mt 26:40–42	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 30 Und er kam zu seinen.svg
25	31		Chorale		B minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit	Albert, Duke of Prussia	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 31 Was mein Gott will.svg
26	32	Ev, Jesus, Judas			D major → G major	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Und er kam und fand sie aber schlafend	Mt 26:43–50	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 32 Und er kam und fand.svg
27a	33		Aria S A	Ch II	E minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 33 So ist mein Jesus.svg
27b			Ch I	Ch II	E minor	3 8	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden?	Barthold Heinrich Brockes	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 33b Sind Blitze, sind Donner.svg
28	34	Ev, Jesus			F♯ major → C♯ minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Und siehe, einer aus denen	Mt 26:51–56	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 34 Und siehe, einer aus denen.svg
29	35		Chorale fantasia		E major	common time	2Ft 2Oa 2Vn Va Bc	O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß	Sebald Heyden	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 35 O Mensch, bewein.svg

Structure of St Matthew Passion, Part II

NBA	BWV	Form			Key	Time	Instr.	Beginning of Text	Source	Incipit
30	36		Aria A	Ch II	B minor	3 8	Ft Oa 2Vn Va Bc	Ach! nun ist mein Jesus hin!	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 36 Ach, nun ist mein.svg
31	37	Ev			B major → D minor	common time	Bc	Die aber Jesum gegriffen hatten	Mt 26:57–60a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 37 Die aber Jesum.svg
32	38		Chorale		B♭ major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Mir hat die Welt trüglich gericht'	Adam Reusner	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 38 Mir hat die Welt.svg
33	39	Ev, 2 witnesses, high priest			G minor	common time	Bc	Und wiewohl viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten	Mt 26:60b–63a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 39 Und wiewohl viel falsche.svg
34	40		Rec T		A major → A minor	common time	2Ob Vg Bc	Mein Jesus schweigt	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 40 Mein Jesus schweigt.svg
35	41		Aria T		A minor	common time	Vg Bc	Geduld! Wenn mich falsche Zungen stechen	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 41 Geduld.svg
36a	42	Ev, Jesus, high priest			E minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Und der Hohepriester antwortete	Mt 26:63b–66a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 42 Und der Hohepriester.svg
36b		Ch I		Ch II	G major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Er ist des Todes schuldig!	Mt 26:66b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 42b Er ist des Todes.svg
36c	43	Ev			C major → D minor	common time	Bc	Da speieten sie aus	Mt 26:67	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 43 Da speieten sie aus.svg
36d		Ch I		Ch II	D minor → F major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Weissage uns, Christe	Mt 26:68	File:BWV244 Incipit Nr. 43b Weissage uns, Christe.svg
37	44		Chorale		F major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Wer hat dich so geschlagen	Paul Gerhardt	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 44 Wer hat dich so.svg
38a	45	Ev, Peter, 2 maids			A major → D major	common time	Bc	Petrus aber saß draußen	Mt 26:69–73a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 45 Petrus aber saß.svg
38b		Ch II			D major → A major	common time	2Ft Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Wahrlich, du bist auch einer	Mt 26:73b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 45b Wahrlich, du bist.svg
38c	46	Ev, Peter			C♯ major → F♯ minor	common time	Bc	Da hub er an, sich zu verfluchen	Mt 26:74–75	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 46 Da hub er an.svg
39	47		Aria A		B minor	12 8	Vs 2Vn Va Bc	Erbarme dich	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 47 Erbarme dich.svg
40	48		Chorale		F♯ minor → A major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen	Johann Rist	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 48 Bin ich gleich.svg
41a	49	Ev, Judas			F♯ minor → B major	common time	Bc	Des Morgens aber hielten alle Hohepriester	Mt 27:1–4a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 49 Des Morgens aber.svg
41b		Ch I		Ch II	B major → E minor	3 4	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Was gehet uns das an?	Mt 27:4b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 49b Was gehet uns.svg
41c	50	Ev, 2 high priests			A minor → B minor	common time	Bc	Und er warf die Silberlinge in den Tempel	Mt 27:5–6	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 50 Und er warf.svg
42	51		Aria B		G major	common time	Vs 2Vn Va Bc	Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder!	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 51 Gebt mir meinen.svg
43	52	Ev, Jesus, Pilate			E minor → D major	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Sie hielten aber einen Rat	Mt 27:7–14	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 52 Sie hielten aber.svg
44	53		Chorale		D major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Befiehl du deine Wege	Paul Gerhardt	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 53 Befiehl du deine Wege.svg
45a	54	Ev, Pilate, his wife	Ch I	Ch II	E major → A minor	common time	Bc	Auf das Fest aber hatte der Landpfleger Gewohnheit	Mt 27:15–22a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 54 Auf das Fest.svg
45b		Ch I & II			A minor → B major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Laß ihn kreuzigen!	Mt 27:22b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 54b Laß ihn kreuzigen I.svg
46	55		Chorale		B minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe!	Johann Heermann	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 55 Wie wunderbarlich.svg
47	56	Ev, Pilate			B minor	common time	Bc	Der Landpfleger sagte	Mt 27:23a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 56 Der Landpfleger sagte.svg
48	57		Rec S		E minor → C major	common time	2Oc Bc	Er hat uns allen wohlgetan	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 57 Er hat uns allen.svg
49	58		Aria S		A minor	3 4	Ft 2Oc	Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 58 Aus Liebe.svg
50a	59	Ev			E minor	common time	Bc	Sie schrieen aber noch mehr	Mt 27:23b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 59 Sie schrieen aber.svg
50b		Ch I & II			B minor → C♯ major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Laß ihn kreuzigen!	Mt 27:23c	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 59b Laß ihn kreuzigen II.svg
50c		Ev, Pilate			C♯ major → B minor	common time	Bc	Da aber Pilatus sahe	Mt 27:24–25a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 59c Da aber Pilatus.svg
50d		Ch I & II			B minor → D major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Sein Blut komme über uns	Mt 27:25b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 59d Sein Blut komme.svg
50e		Ev			D major → E minor	common time	Bc	Da gab er ihnen Barrabam los	Mt 27:26	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 59e Da gab er ihnen Barrabam.svg
51	60		Rec A		F major → G minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Erbarm es Gott!	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 60 Erbarm es Gott.svg
52	61		Aria A		G minor	3 4	2Vn Bc	Können Tränen meiner Wangen	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 61 Können Tränen.svg
53a	62	Ev			F major → D minor	common time	Bc	Da nahmen die Kriegsknechte	Mt 27:27–29a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 62 Da nahmen die Kriegsknechte.svg
53b		Ch I		Ch II	D minor → A major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Gegrüßet seist du, Jüdenkönig!	Mt 27:29b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 62b Gegrüßet seist du.svg
53c		Ev			D minor	common time	Bc	Und speieten ihn an	Mt 27:30	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 62c Und speieten ihn an.svg
54	63		Chorale		D minor → F major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	Paul Gerhardt	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 63 O Haupt voll Blut.svg
55	64	Ev			A minor	common time	Bc	Und da sie ihn verspottet hatten	Mt 27:31–32	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 64 Und da sie ihn verspottet.svg
56	65		Rec B		F major → D minor	common time	2Ft Vg Bc	Ja freilich will in uns	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 65 Ja freilich will.svg
57	66		Aria B		D minor	common time	Vg Bc	Komm, süßes Kreuz	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 66 Komm süßes Kreuz.svg
58a	67	Ev			C major → F♯ major	common time	Bc	Und da sie an die Stätte kamen	Mt 27:33–39	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 67 Und da sie an die Stätte.svg
58b		Ch I		Ch II	F♯ major → B minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Der du den Tempel Gottes zerbrichst	Mt 27:40	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 67b Der du den Tempel.svg
58c		Ev			F♯ major → E minor	common time	Bc	Desgleichen auch die Hohenpriester	Mt 27:41	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 67c Desgleichen auch die Hohenpriester.svg
58d		Ch I		Ch II	E minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Andern hat er geholfen	Mt 27:42–43	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 67d Andern hat er geholfen.svg
58e	68	Ev			G major → C minor	common time	Bc	Desgleichen schmäheten ihn	Mt 27:44	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 68 Desgleichen schmäheten.svg
59	69		Rec A		A♭ major	common time	2Oc Bc	Ach Golgatha	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 69 Ach Golgatha.svg
60	70		Aria A	Ch II	E♭ major	common time	2Ob 2Oc 2Vn Va Bc	Sehet, Jesus hat die Hand	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 70 Sehet, Jesus.svg
61a	71	Ev, Jesus			E♭ major → C minor	common time	Bc	Und von der sechsten Stunde an	Mt 27:45–47a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 71 Und von der sechsten.svg
61b		Ch I			C minor → F major	common time	2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Der rufet dem Elias!	Mt 27:47b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 71b Der rufet dem Elias.svg
61c		Ev			F major → G minor	common time	Bc	Und bald lief einer unter ihnen	Mt 27:48–49a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 71c Und bald lief.svg
61d		Ch II			G minor → D minor	common time	2Ft Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Halt! laß sehen	Mt 27:49b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 71d Halt, laß sehen.svg
61e		Ev			D minor → A minor	common time	Bc	Aber Jesus schriee abermal laut	Mt 27:50	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 71e Aber Jesus schriee.svg
62	72		Chorale		A minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden	Paul Gerhardt	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 72 Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden.svg
63a	73	Ev			C major → A♭ major	common time	Bc	Und siehe da, der Vorhang im Tempel zerriß	Mt 27:51–54a	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 73 Und siehe da.svg
63b		Ch I & II			A♭ major	common time	2Ft Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen	Mt 27:54b	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 73b Wahrlich, dieser ist.svg
63c		Ev			E♭ major → B♭ major	common time	Bc	Und es waren viel Weiber da	Mt 27:55–59	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 73c Und es waren viel.svg
64	74		Rec B		G minor	common time	2Vn Va Bc	Am Abend, da es kühle war	Salomo Franck	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 74 Am Abend.svg
65	75		Aria B		B♭ major	12 8	2Oc 2Vn Va Bc	Mache dich, mein Herze, rein	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 75 Mache dich, mein Herze.svg
66a	76	Ev			G minor → E♭ major	common time	Bc	Und Joseph nahm den Leib	Mt 27:59–62	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 76 Und Joseph nahm.svg
66b		Ch I		Ch II	E♭ major → D major	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Herr, wir haben gedacht	Mt 27:63–64	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 76b Herr, wir haben.svg
66c		Ev, Pilate			G minor → E♭ major	common time	Bc	Pilatus sprach zu ihnen	Mt 27:65–66	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 77 Pilatus sprach zu ihnen.svg
67	77		Rec S A T B	Ch II	E♭ major → C minor	common time	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Nun ist der Herr zur Ruh gebracht	Picander	File:BWV 244 Incipit Nr. 77 Nun ist der Herr.svg
68	78		Ch I	Ch II	C minor	3 4	2Ft 2Ob 2Vn Va Bc	Wir setzen uns mit Tränen nieder	Picander	File:BWV244 Incipit Nr. 78 Wir setzen uns.svg

Sources

• Matthäuspassion: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• Matthäuspassion, early edition (BWV 244b): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• St. Matthew passion BWV 244; BC D 3b / Passion Leipzig University
• Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 history, scoring, sources for text and music, translations to various languages, discography, discussion, bach-cantatas website
• Matthäuspassion history, scoring, Bach website (in German)
• BWV 244 Matthäus-Passion Sources, English translation, University of Vermont
• BWV 244 Matthäuspassion text, scoring, University of Alberta
• Tim Smith and Ben Kammin: The Chorales of Bach's St. Matthew Passion: their Sources and Dramatic Roles Archived 2015-04-06 at the Wayback Machine bach.nau.edu

External links

• Uri Golomb: Academia.Edu Liturgical drama in Bach's St. Matthew Passion Goldberg Early Music Magazine 39 (April 2006), pp. 48–59
• Rex Levang: The St. Matthew Passion Minnesota Public Radio, text and translation, commentary, 2001