Mark Ringer Books

Bach's Operas of the Soul is an introduction to Bach's sacred cantatas for the general music lover. Mark Ringer examines this vast output of masterpieces as great musical dramatic creations. Bach's sacred cantatas represent an extraordinary artistic and spiritual achievement, arguably the richest investment by a great composer within a single genre. However, they remain largely unfamiliar to many serious listeners already acquainted with Bach's large-scale religious works. The same musical-dramatic genius of Bach's Passions is evident in virtually all of the composer's sacred cantatas. Ringer approaches the sacred cantatas as sermons in musical-dramatic form, un-staged operas planned for each occasion of the church year. Bach's era appreciated dramatic contrast, and his use of the human voice offers a constantly changing palette of vocal colors. The singers play 'roles' throughout the cantatas, from penitent sinner to ardent believer to Christ himself. This book will be of use to readers interested in opera and vocal music who have come to love Bach's Passions and wish to familiarize themselves with this wide array of masterpieces.