J. S. Bach and the Mystical Tradition

Abstract: The essay understands mysticism as a form of spirituality and theology centered on overcoming the separation between the creator and creation here and now and argues that we find this kind of spirituality in several texts which Bach put to music. The first obvious field is bridal mysticism, rooted in Bernard of Clairvaux, which we find in Cantata BWV 49 or cantata BWV 159. Another prominent theme in Bach's oeuvre is passion mysticism for which the Passions of the composer give plenty of evidence. The Christmas oratorio falls more into the field of incarnation mysticism.