Musical Rhetoric and Other Symbols of Communication in Bach's Organ Music
Musical Rhetoric and Other Symbols of Communication in Bach's Organ Music
Volume 3, 1984
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/1011830ar
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Canadian Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies / Société canadienne d'étude
du dix-huitième siècle
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den symbols of number, allegory, etc.. The paper will not attempt to
prove the same duality for the free, textless organ music (Preludes,
Fugues, Toccatas, etc.). Attempts have been made to discover various
hidden symbols in Bach's keyboard Preludes and Fugues (semantics of
number, number cabalistics, structural symbolism), but, although in-
teresting statistics have emerged, the results remain somewhat
speculative in the absence of any contextual reference (text association,
liturgical context, etc.). The exception may be the 'St. Anne's organ
Prelude and Fugue (BWV 552) which act respectively as introduction to
and conclusion of a set of liturgical chorale preludes (cf. below).
Essential for an understanding of the embodiment of symbols in Bach's
organ music is a historical perspective. A brief survey will be given of the
musical tradition and musical concepts from which such a practice
sprung.
Finally, the paper does not intend to explain Bach's music completely
in terms of rhetoric and other symbols or to suggest that symbols are pre-
sent or equally prominent in each work. His music is, foremost, music to
be enjoyed and analyzed in musical terms: theory, harmony, counter-
point, style, ornamentation and musical form. Rather the paper il-
lustrates the extent to which these musical means were influenced by
various non-musical symbolic concepts and that the idea of 'absolute
music' or pure music' needs some qualification as far as Bach is con-
cerned. With few exceptions his music was not written for aesthetic con-
templation solely, but to fulfil a specific function. His sacred music served
a didactic purpose within the Lutheran liturgical tradition. Although
some of his later music moved in a more abstract direction, Bach did not
subscribe to the notion of 'autonomous' or 'absolute' music which was
later developed in the Classic era. Those who prefer to interpret Bach's
music as absolute and non-referential are, nevertheless, correct in one
regard: even when he applied rhetorical concepts within the traditional
learned music style, the tonal means and sound impressions of his music
remain intrinsically musical and musically satisfying.
1) the finding of a musical idea or motif. In textual music the words can serve as a
guide with regard to the spirit of the work and the nature of the motifs and
themes to be used.4 Several loci topici' (literally 'places' to find material for a
musical 'topic') were suggested by Mattheson, a contemporary of Bach.5
2) the arrangement or disposition of the musical ideas.
Mattheson again quoted the arrangement of rhetoric as model:6
The practice of music as a rhetorical art during the time of Bach drew
its essential impulse from the still predominantly theocentric philosophy
135
mode and method of composition, that one not only enjoyed listening to
him when he pointed this out in a discussion, but one can only admire
the clever application thereof in his compositions.'34 Equally interesting is
the account of one of Bach's pupuls, J.G. Ziegler, in 1746, that Bach in-
structed him not to play the 'Lieder' so superficially but according to the
'mood of the text.'35 The affective, persuasive character of much of his
music, whether religious or secular, vocal or instrumental, can be
verified through analyses. His St. John's and St. Matthew Passion
display this rhetorical, didactic trend throughout, confronting the
listener with the religious implications of the events by means of subjec-
tive application.
In this regard Bach could draw on a rich heritage of musical composi-
tion based on rhetoric, from the Musica Reservata, Monteverdi, Schutz
to Buxtehude, Kuhnau and others. This tradition, which is also described
in the musical treatises mentioned, is an important aid in the analysis of
Bach's music. The mood is generally detectable throughout the text in the
tropes and figures, key relationship, metre, rhythms, tempo, intervals
and dynamics associated with different moods. In textual works the
aspect of 'tone painting' and other descriptive means is of importance.
The fact that we deal with relatively objective criteria for analysis of
music in Bach's time is also due to the sociological framework within
which this music was written.36 The composer did not write on the spur
of the moment, neither did he display his own changing emotions, but
was required (by the court or church) to write music for a specific occa-
sion. The mood was clearly defined by the occasion or the text
(something objective with which the composer had to empathize) and he
could draw on a general musical vocabulary to achieve this. This is not
to suggest that Bach wrote music in a textbook fashion, neither that his
music can ever be fully explained and its subtleties captured and de-
scribed by any analyses.
Two examples from Bach's 'free' (non-textual) organ works might serve
to illustrate the rhetorical character of his music: the G Minor Fantasia
BWV 542 and the 'Dorian Toccata' BWV 538.37
The G Minor Fantasia shows a certain affinity to the St. Johns Passion
which was composed around the same time. It displays a similar exulta-
tion mixed with deep sorrow expressed by the opening chorus of the Pas-
sion. It starts with similar repeating exclamations (Exclamatio,
Anaphora, Ex. 1), which are converted into an instrumental recitative (a
free musical narrative supported by occasional chords; measure 1 ff.,
Ex. 2).
Melodic and harmonic dissonances are employed (Saltus duriusculus,
Parrhesia). This is followed by a sequence of repeated and extended
motifs (Ex. 3, m. 4-7), an accumulation of ideas and a concluding Seufzer
(a descending two-note motif expressing 'sighing/ m. 8-9, Ex. 4).
This epic recitative is followed by a contrasting, introverted section in
linear counterpoint (horizontal lines of music instead of vertical chords)
as a somber 'comment/ The already described 'art of discussion between
voice parts' (A, B, C; on a melodiously dissonant bass, D) is cleverly
employed (Ex. 5, m. 9 2 -14 1 ). The same motifs are used or extended in a
discursive way by the various voice parts, and a wealth of figures such as
Anaphora, Aposiopesis, Antitheton, Metalepsis, Passus- and Saltus
duriusculus is displayed. It ends with a statement (a descending two-note
'sighing motif) similar to measures 8-9 (Epistrophe, Ex. 6, m. 13-14).
This contrapuntal section is followed by an agitated continuation of the
harmonic recitative with a further display of exclamations, dissonant
chords, extension and repetition of ideas (Ex. 7, 8), deceptive cadences
and climaxes (e.g., Ex. 8, 9). The figures Exclamatio, Parrhesia, Saltus
duriusculus, Anaphora, Paronomasia, Ellipsis, and Gradatio pre-
dominate.
Another contrasting 'discussion' section in counterpoint follows (m.
25-31). After this the highly dramatic recitative is continued, employing
the same affective figures as before (e.g., m. 35ff: (1) Gradatio, (ii)
Pleonasmus, (iii) Ellipsis, (iv) Congeries, (v) Pathopoiia/Parrhesia, (vi)
Suspensio, Dubitatio, Ex. 10).
It is only in the final affirmative major chord that the intense, dramatic
tension is resolved.
In a completely different vein, rhetoric is used in Bach's 'Dorian Toc-
cata.' This piece employs more abstract, eloquent musical motifs than the
highly dramatic, affective ones of the Fantasia just discussed. It is a par-
ticularly interesting work: an oratory in dialogue form. The musical
'debate' is brought about by a continuous change between the two
manuals, which were minutely indicated by Bach. Organ dialogues were
very popular even before Bach, but this dialogue is unique in its logical
and dialectical lay-out; it uses both the structure of speech (Dispositio)
and a wealth of rhetorical figures. The usual rhetorical arrangement (in-
troduction, statement of main idea, refutation of contrary ideas, analysis
and confirmation of main idea, peroration) is followed, but clad in
dialogue-style. Instead of the main speaker (A) quoting and refuting op-
posite views, these views are presented by a second speaker (B),
represented through the contrasting registration of the second organ
manual.
A starts off by developing the main thesis from a simple motif of alter-
nating notes, x (Anaphora, Paronomasia, Ex. 11).
B starts out by quoting the emphasized premise and then inverting it (tur-
ning it upside-down with the emphatic chordal motif, y + , in the bass)
e.g., m. 15,16 (Ex. 14). Such double counterpoint was seen as an impor-
tant means of creating antithesis or Antitheton by Bach's contemporary,
Mattheson.
B proceeds by quoting the concluding remarks of A (see m. 104 -13 3 , Ex.
13) but extending them (adding another preceding chord to y), which has
the effect of exaggeration, generalization (Paronomasia, Mimesis,
Epistrophe, Ex. 15, m. 18 2 - 201).
B now picks up A's introductory 'words' (m. 1-4) but in inverted form (in-
verting the two lines; Antitheton, m. 25-29, Ex. 17).
A reaffirms the main thesis by variation and extension (Anaphora,
Variatio, Paronomasia), despite opposing interjections from the other
who turns the emphatic motif upside down (the ascending motif, A, is
changed into a descending one; Mimesis, Antitheton, Exclamatio, m.
29-35, Ex. 18).
When B's former argument, q, is quoted (cf. Ex. 20), B interrupts A and
maintains this viewpoint, ending with the same words (cadence) as
before (Antitheton, Emphasis, Epistrophe, m. 66-73).
A repeats the extended thesis, but is directly confronted by B with
repetitions of these motifs on a different pitch (m. 763 ff., Ex. 25) and
then even interrupted before completion (m. 78). At this point A and B
speak simultaneously, repeating their words/ This heated debate leads
to an accumulation of the same viewpoints (Congeries, m. 78 ff.) in an
ascending sequence, leading to the climax (Gradatio, Ex. 26), in which A
simply 'talks B down' (Pleonasmus, m. 81, Ex. 27).
Bach's 'Dorian Toccata and the G minor Fantasia are only two illustra-
tions of the idea of a purely musical, instrumental Klang-Rede in the late-
Baroque. As Mattheson wrote (1722): 'Although instrumental works do
not employ actual words, nevertheless even the most free and indepen-
dent works ('Concerten') should contain an expression, an intelligent
content, so that they always have something to say and also speak
words.' 38
The idea, sometimes encountered, that Bach's organ music is essential-
ly unemotional, abstract, 'pure music,' music based on pure musical
form and development' to be played without affect, fails to recognize the
philosophical and compositional concepts from which these works
originated. But it must be kept in mind that the emotion called for in
these works differs from the Storm and Stress of Romantic music. It calls
for careful analysis and recognition of the inherent mood of the work.
This mood does not change continually as in Romantic music, but re-
mains (apart from subtle shadings) constant for a prelude, fantasia,
fugue, choral prelude unless a change in style, tempo, dynamics, etc., oc-
curs. An affective involvement of the player is required to project the
mood to the listener.
during the late 1730's by the younger Johann Adolph Scheibe,47 a fervent
supporter of the new purely naturalistic aesthetics of the Enlightenment,
is evidence of Bach's traditional ideas. In the spirit of the new generation
he denounced Bach's symbolism and metaphysical emphasis and urged
him to follow the new naturalistic ideal, to express his own natural emo-
tions in an uncomplicated musical style, instead of reflecting a
speculative, transcendental world or creating a prescribed mood by
means of complex music.
Two short examples of Easter music from the Orgelbuchlein may serve
to illustrate the combination of mood and more abstract symbolism in
his chorale preludes:
'Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who has triumphed over death, is risen
and has taken death into capitivity. Alleluia!' The celebrative mood is
captured by the subdivision of the 4/4- into 12/8-metre by means of
triplets. A change from basic binary to triple note values was often
used before Bach (by Schutz, e.g.) to capture, portray and symbolize
something of the blissfulness and joy of the heavenly, ethereal and
perfect. Apart from the basic mood and the use of semantics of
number, the resurrection itself is portrayed allegorically by a
dynamically ascending, leaping interval. This resurrection-motif of
two ascending notes occurs in all the voice parts and in various inter-
vals ranging from the second to the full octave. It is most effective
because of the emphasis on the second, 'off-beat' note which is tied to
the next group of notes (Ex. 31).
JACOBUS KLOPPERS
The King's College, Edmonton
Addendum I
Some of the approximately 82 different musical tropes and figures developed from the six-
teenth to eighteenth centuries:
Affective figures:
Aposiopesis: General pause, silence (to depict death, sighing, deep sorrow,
awe)
Addendum II
9 Johann Kirnberger, Die Kunst des reinen Satzes (Berlin and Kônigsberg: Decker &
Hartung, 1774-1779), Vol. 2, pp. 102-104; Johann Joachim Quantz, Versuch einer
Anweisung die Flute traversière zu Spielen (Berlin, 1752; reprint Kassel:
Barenreiter, 1953), chapter 11 §16.
10 Kirnberger, vol. 2, pp. 105ff.; Quantz, chapter 11 §16; Mattheson, Capellmeister,
pp. 160-70.
11 Kirnberger, p. 106; Friedrich W. Marpurg, Anleitung zum Clavierspielen (Berlin:
Haude und Spener, 1765), p. 16.
12 Friedrich W. Marpurg, Historisch-Kritische Beytràge zur Aufnahme der Musik
(Berlin: Schûtzens Witwe, 1757), p. 120.
13 Cf. Unger, pp. 63-96 for a complete list and description of these sources; also Ar-
nold Schmitz, 'Figuren, musikalisch-rhetorische,' in Die Musik in Geschichte und
Gegenwart, éd. Friedrich Blume, 4 (Kassel: Barenreiter, 1955), 176-83.
14 Cf. Unger, pp. 112-18.
15 Cf. Friedrich Blume, Renaissance and Baroque Music: A Comprehensive Survey
(translation of two of Blume's German articles by M.D. Herter Norton; New York:
W.W. Norton, 1967), pp. 89-92.
16 Joseph Muller-Blattau, Das Verhàltnis von Wort und Ton in der Geschichte der
Musik (Stuttgart: Metzler, 1952), p. 12.
17 Kurt Huber, Musikàsthetik (Ettal: Buch-Kunstverlag, 1954), pp. 45-47; Unger, p. 24.