Sei Solo: Symbolum?

by Benjamin Jeffery Shute

Overview

One of the jewels in the crown of Johann Sebastian Bach's sacred music is its use of astonishingly subtle and complex allegorical and representational devices. But when similar devices appear in the context of one of Bach's untexted, secular, instrumental collections such as the Six Solos (sonatas and partitas) for violin, the question arises whether he might be intending to embed discernible theological significances there as well, thus infusing the secular with the sacred. Such designs would be reasonably plausible within Bach's musical, cultural, and religious context. Shute carefully investigates the extent to which musical features of the Six Solos that seem to invite theological parallels might indeed have been intended to do so. Although the precise extent of Bach's intentions cannot be ascertained with certainty, the degree of correlation among strong potential signifiers would seem to suggest that they, and many other features of the Six Solos, are best explained as the product of extensive theological-allegorical designs on Bach's part, like those evident in his texted vocal music.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498239417
Publisher:	Pickwick Publications
Publication date:	06/16/2016
Pages:	296
Sales rank:	880,659
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Benjamin J. Shute is Assistant Professor of Violin and Director of the Preparatory Department at Oklahoma Baptist University. Active as a performer on modern and period instruments, he has served as concertmaster of the Boston Chamber Orchestra and prepared critical reconstructions of J. S. Bach's Violin Concerto in D-minor (BWV 1052R) and Sinfonia in D-major (BWV 1045) for PRB Productions.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xv

Abbreviations xix

Background xxiii

1 Introduction 1

2 Issues of Structure and Style in the Ciaccona 18

3 "Al riverso": Resurrection Imagery in the C-Major Fuga 38

4 A Broader Theological Schema in the Sei Solo? 73

5 Number Correlations in the Partias 97

6 A Hermeneutic Overview of the Sei Solo 115

Appendix A An Examination of Helga Thoene's Premise of Symbolism in the Sei Solo 179

Appendix B Further Applications: Two Case Studies 191

Bibliography 243

Index of Bach's Works 251

Subject Index 257

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Bach's music never ceases to astonish. In this fascinating study, Shute investigates the possibility that Bach's six works for unaccompanied violin might carry meaning that can plausibly be construed as a symbolum, a creed of his Lutheran faith expressed in tones alone. Assiduously avoiding the far-fetched methodologies and unfettered subjectivity that have marred some previous studies of this kind, he arrives at interpretations that are much more credible but no less astonishing. A major achievement!"
—Calvin R. Stapert, Professor of Music Emeritus, Calvin College; author of My Only Comfort: Death, Deliverance, and Discipleship in the Music of Bach

"Dr. Shute's heart for discovery and driving intellectual curiosity are on display here in this welcome volume. As a pedagogue, performer, and scholar, he shares his quest for meaning in music with us generously. Passionate and thoughtful, this engaging examination will invite you to ask questions and propel you into further study of Bach's music, of course, and interestingly enough, his life."  
—Benjamin Harding, Dean, School of Music, Cairn University

Editorial Reviews

"Bach's music never ceases to astonish. In this fascinating study, Shute investigates the possibility that Bach's six works for unaccompanied violin might carry meaning that can plausibly be construed as a symbolum, a creed of his Lutheran faith expressed in tones alone. Assiduously avoiding the far-fetched methodologies and unfettered subjectivity that have marred some previous studies of this kind, he arrives at interpretations that are much more credible but no less astonishing. A major achievement!"
—Calvin R. Stapert, Professor of Music Emeritus, Calvin College; author of My Only Comfort: Death, Deliverance, and Discipleship in the Music of Bach

"Dr. Shute's heart for discovery and driving intellectual curiosity are on display here in this welcome volume. As a pedagogue, performer, and scholar, he shares his quest for meaning in music with us generously. Passionate and thoughtful, this engaging examination will invite you to ask questions and propel you into further study of Bach's music, of course, and interestingly enough, his life."  
—Benjamin Harding, Dean, School of Music, Cairn University

From the Publisher