J. S. Bach and Scripture: Glosses from the Calov Bible Commentary

The Bible commentary once owned by the composer Johann Sebastian Bach is now in the library of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. It is Die deutsche Bibel, edited largely from Martin Luther’s writings by the theologian Abraham Calov, in three large folio volumes, published in Wittenberg in 1681–82. It is of immense importance to Bach studies since it contains the composer’s marginal comments alongside particular Biblical passages. They reveal something of the innermost thinking of the great composer and illuminate his theological and devotional approach to his art.

Eminent Bach scholar and hymnologist Robin A. Leaver has brought together facsimiles of nearly all the marginal comments and corrections in Bach’s hand, together with a selection of the most significant underlinings and other markings. Leaver discusses the character of the volumes, their rediscovery, and Bach’s use of them. Included are beautiful, color facsimiles, enlargements of the entries in Bach’s hand, and detailed notes and commentary by Leaver. Hardcover. 8½ x 11¼. 192 pp.