Happy Birthday Bach!
On this day, March 21st, we celebrate the 335th birthday of Bach (1685-1750). One of the most remembered anecdotes of the church musician is what he so often inscribed on his compositions near or in lieu of his signature SDG, Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the Glory). But what about this man would cause the church to celebrate? Let’s give a brief moment to consider the life of Bach.
Soli Deo Gloria Signature Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany into a family that held to a seeming generational succession of musicians. Bach’s father schmoozed his way into the role of town musician. Most everyone in the Bach family earned their bread through music. Eisenach was a community where to be Lutheran was something of God’s special grace. Bach is known for disregarding his family’s budget on a complete set of Martin Luther’s writings, much to his wife’s chagrin. These two worlds, music and religion, were intertwined through the Bach family tree.
Bach’s childhood was spent within arms-length of the church organ. He was a keyboard virtuoso, but rather than seek fame and audiences like contemporary George Frideric Handel, he withdrew from the best schools coming home to Weimar to use his skills and genius in the community of his heritage.
Following tenures as church and court musician, Bach served the remainder of his living days as music teacher at a parochial school as well as what might be considered today, the worship pastor of his church. Rather than fame, what Bach desired most was the freedom in his schedule to compose church music. In his magnificent biography, John Eliot Gardiner observes Bach always had at his table a note-filled collection of commentaries by Abraham Calov. Note the impetus that theology had in his music.
Bach placed upon himself exhausting expectations. He attempted to create yearly cycles of cantatas and passions, accounting for a full cantata each Sunday, then special music for Easter, Advent, and other seasons. Bach composed thematically consecutive cantatas for each Sunday service. He wrote from Scripture, pushing his people to see the theological landscape of the Bible. When you listen to the choral arrangements, the harmonies, and read the translations of Bach’s pieces, it’s incredible to see he assumed the ability to write every Sunday as well as producing secular concerts, teaching students, caring for his family, and putting together spectacular passion arrangements.
Therein was Bach’s heart and purpose in life, to make music for God’s people, as he expected it would sound before Christ’s throne. That is what we see as Bach’s legacy, a man using his gifts and disciplining those gifts and talents to give God glory and expect that glory out of others. I keep asking myself, is that what I’m doing with my life? Am I disciplined in using my passions, gifts, creativity—my whole self—to point people to Christ? Bach wasn’t making music for his own ears, but for the ears of his beloved Savior (even as a flawed and cantankerous sinner).
Easter will be here quickly, one way I celebrate the life of this former saint is to listen to John’s Passion which I’ve already done a few times this month. I will then turn to Matthew’s Passion. These works, considered the peak of human musical invention, point us to something far greater: the glory of God. God came to earth as Jesus the Christ, to die on the cross and be raised again for the salvation of all those whom He loves. What a way to celebrate a birthday. I hope when I die people won’t remember me, but remember to whom I pointed. Surely to God alone be the glory.
Thanks for the music brother Bach! Now back to my playlist...
