Bach to the Music

It was about a year and half ago that I was teaching my son how to drive. I had done this once before with my daughter so, of course, I knew what I was doing. I took him to church and told him everything that he needed to do to operate the vehicle for the first time: check your surroundings, put your foot on the brake, shift the car into drive, then ease your foot off the brake. I was in peak dad form. Another child was being prepared for the future. All he had to do was listen and respond accordingly.

But then he interrupted me.

What was so important that he had to derail my eloquent driving instructions? He said, “Wait, Dad! We’ve got to get the music going!” I had not thought of this as an essential step to operating a vehicle. Yet, even still, a year and half later, my son will start the car and then sit there for a minute while he finds the perfect tune to accompany his drive.

All my kids love music. My youngest daughter has a constant soundtrack of show tunes playing in her head, which she chooses to regale us with at great frequency. Then, we got my oldest daughter some headphones a few years ago, and I’m not sure I’ve seen her ears since! My wife sings and plays the piano. My kids play instruments. I play the…radio! We do love music in our family.

This isn’t unusual. Everyone loves music! It’s played while we shop at stores. It’s pumped loudly at sporting events. We even have it played while we watch movies. Would scary movies even be scary if there was no music? Probably not! Music is everywhere. And gifted people who make music are some of the most famous people in the world.

Pre-eminent among these gifted people is Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Many people know him as a “classical” composer. He was actually a baroque composer, but we don’t have to quibble about the details. What many may not know is that he composed music primarily for the church. Bach was the cantor of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig for 27 years. This meant he oversaw the music for the church’s worship services. Today, we might call the same position a “Worship Pastor.” He composed, directed, and performed the music to be used in that specific church. Additionally, he also directed the boys choir, trained singers, and even taught music and Latin at a local school.

Though many may know him has a famous composer, worship and music went hand in hand for Bach. He is famous for saying, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” I think he is right! Our primary purpose is to glorify God and it is fitting that our musical abilities feed that ultimate goal. In fact, God even commands that we use music in adoration of him. 

Psalm 150:3, “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp…”

Music is a beautiful thing! We can enjoy it. We can praise God for it. And we can appreciate the talented work of those who do it well.

Here is a link to my favorite Bach piece. For some reason, we play it a lot at Christmas; but it was not written as a Christmas song. Therefore, you may listen today guilt free! Pay attention to the lyrics as well!

Below, are some recent pictures from my family’s time at St. Thomas church.

The picture below is of the front of St. Thomas Church. It was originally founded in the medieval period as Roman Catholic but turned Protestant during the Reformation (about 200 years before Bach’s time). It was “improved” in the late 1800s to give its current, Gothic look.

A statue of Bach adorns the exterior. I don’t think this was there during his tenure. 😉

With Sarah’s inclusion, St. Thomas has never looked more lovely.

Here is the family inside. You can see one of the organs of St. Thomas in the rear. Unfortunately, none of the organs from Bach’s time survive. However, you can easily imagine him taking his place to lead the congregants in worship. Be sure you appreciate my Kansas City BBQ shirt. Strangely, no one else was wearing one of those.

Apparently, the Powerpoint projectors weren’t working in Bach’s day. Go figure! So, he produced these song booklets for the worshippers, ten of them every year.

Here is the choir loft. Though it isn’t so lofty. 😉