Today's battle between musician and king is one of the more intriguing pairings of Lent Madness 2014. While on seemingly disparate paths, both J.S. Bach and Alfred the Great were fighters. Well, Bach once tangled with a bassoonist and Alfred fought Vikings but you get the point. However this match-up turns out, we know Bach will remain victorious in one category: children sired. He famously fathered 20 children while Alfred had a mere quarter of this number.
In yesterday's neck-and-neck race between James Holly and Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet eked out a victory 51% to 49%. She'll go on to face Alcuin of York in the Round of the Saintly Sixteen.
In the same way it's never too late in Lent to begin a Lenten discipline, it's never too late to join in Lent Madness! If you're just checking out this fun, informative way to learn about some amazing people and grow your faith, click here to watch our brief Voting 101 video. We also have some general information for those new to Lent Madness here.
If you haven't liked us on Facebook or followed us on Twitter, you're missing some supplemental conversation. Granted there's plenty of that among the hundreds of comments that follow each match-up but some people just can't get enough of the Madness!
Well, it's been a wonderful, wacky, heart-pounding first full week of Lent Madness 2014. Yesterday marked our second 1% margin of victory this week (see Antony of Egypt vs. Mary of Egypt). Yowza! The Supreme Executive Committee authorizes you to take a deep cleansing breath this weekend and then get ready for our next match-up on Monday morning as Lydia tangles with Moses the Black.
J.S. Bach
For someone who was orphaned at age nine and never traveled farther than 225 miles from his birthplace, Johann Sebastian Bach left a legacy to the world of music much grander than his circumstances might suggest. Born in 1685, the eighth child of a musical family in Eisenach, Germany, Bach studied organ and voice. He was known for his stellar soprano voice. After the loss of his parents who died just months apart, he lived with his older brother, Johann Christoph, an organist who likely continued Bach’s training and introduced him to contemporary music.
Bach’s first real job as an organist came at the age of eighteen when he was hired in Arnstadt, a city in central Germany. Over the next several years, as he moved to progressively larger and more prestigious positions, he began composing in earnest. At age 22 he married his first wife, Maria Barbara, and rather famously, engaged in a street fight with a bassoonist.
After stints in Weimar and Köthen as Kapellmeister (musicmaker), Bach landed in Leipzig in 1723 as Thomaskantor, or director of music, a post he held for twenty-seven years until his death. During this period, he composed more than 300 sacred cantatas that correspond to the weekly lectionary readings. In addition, he continued composing the large-scale orchestral works for which he is well known: the St. Matthew Passion and St. John Passion for Good Friday, the Mass in B Minor, the Brandenburg Concerti, and hundreds of other works. A catalog of his work created in 1950 lists some 1,127 surviving pieces; many more compositions were lost over the years.
In Bach’s day, the church was the only place an accomplished musician could make a living for himself and his family. And Bach required a substantial living: between his two wives (the second was the much-younger, highly gifted soprano Anna Magdalena) he fathered twenty children, ten of whom survived to adulthood. However, his deep devotion to the Christian faith was evident: he not only composed the sacred works but also taught Luther’s Small Catechism classes while at Leipzig. No one of his stature would have been forced to teach Sunday School.
J.S. Bach died at age 65 in Leipzig. He kept composing until the very end, despite contending with blindness for many years. His deep dedication to his craft resulted in some of the most beautifully complex music humankind has ever created. Certain of Bach’s pieces are the musical equivalent of a gothic cathedral. They make our hearts soar toward God.
Collect for J.S. Bach
Almighty God, beautiful in majesty and majestic in holiness, who teaches us in Holy Scripture to sing your praises and who gave your musicians Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel and Henry Purcell grace to show forth your glory in their music: Be with all those who write or make music for your people, that we on earth may glimpse your beauty and know the inexhaustible riches of your new creation in Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-- Heidi Shott
Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great united the kingdom of England and was its first great moral leader. Born around 849, he was sent to Rome at the age of four, where some sources say he was confirmed and anointed king by Pope Leo IV.
This was a trifle premature, since Alfred had three older brothers, one of whom deposed his father shortly after they returned home to England. Until Alfred came of age, the kingdom was divided between his brothers, Aethelbald, Aethelred, and Aethelbert.
During this period, Alfred fought alongside his brother, Aethelred; first, against the “Great Heathen Army,” led by Ivar the Boneless, then against the invading Danish—also known as the Viking—army. This second battle did not go well, at least for Aethelred. He died, and Alfred became the new king in 871.
This was less impressive than it sounds. The Vikings had conquered most of England, but by 880, Alfred had managed to push them back out, and for the first time in history, unite England under a single ruler.
Alfred then set about reforming legal practices throughout the land. He issued a new legal code to standardize the laws throughout all England. This was called the Doom Book, which took inspiration from the Ten Commandments and the gospel’s call for mercy and combined them into a comprehensive system that meted out fines and payments instead of violence.
Alfred also saw it as his job to increase education and religious piety. So he began a court school to improve his own children’s learning as well as issued a decree that all primary education occur in English. To aid this cause, he commissioned the translation of numerous books into English, including the Venerable Bede’s Ecclesiastical History and the Dialogues of Gregory the Great. Alfred also translated several books into English himself, including the first fifty Psalms and Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy.
Alfred believed it was his duty to care for both the physical and spiritual well-being of his people, and tried, throughout his reign, to do both equally. He died in October of 899. He is the only English monarch to be (officially) called “the Great.”
Collect for Alfred the Great
O Sovereign Lord, who brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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246 comments on “J.S. Bach vs. Alfred the Great”
Bach's music was considered 'old fashioned' by the time he died. We see it as the culmination of the Baroque Era, but if it hadn't been for Mendelssohn's "rediscovery" of it, it might have well been lost to us.
Bleh! Neither of these two were all that and a bag of chips. Didn't want to vote for either of them.
Despite initial inclinations to vote Bach, I vote Alfred. Neither man is greater nor lesser than the other: However, Alfred's story is the stuff legend is made of with characters Ivan the Boneless, four brother's Aethelbald, Aethelred, Althelbert and Albert and the Great Heathen Army aka Vikings (Wagner heard now). Al championed the written word and order by law with mercy. Courageous and inspired gets my vote today.
The essayist for J.S. Bach left out the first thing that came to my mind when I saw his name in the brackets: Soli Deo gloria, "Glory to God alone." Bach signed all his manuscripts "S.D.G."
I admire Alfred tremendously, and I'm sorry that he wasn't put up against, say, Antony of Egypt. Under other circs, he'd have my vote. But I have to vote for the man so clearly touched by God, and so faithful in so many things. His music is a gift that will never die.
As I learned in shepherding Enmeghabowh in Lent Madness 2012, you've got to save great material for the subsequent rounds.
Alfred may be Great, but J.S.B. is outasight!
I'm an organist/choirmaster, AND I share initials with the great musician. Bach all the way! SDG
This is a hard one! Last fall I visited Eisenach, and the Bach house was probably my favorite museum out of all the museums I visited in a week in Germany...because every single piece of signage was also in English. Not to mention the music played throughout the place, and the awesome demonstration of period instruments! But then I think...Alfred is the one who first insisted on translation into English, which I could say is the root of my ability to so enjoy the museum! ACK!
Not to mention, of course, that both played roles in their time that continue to reverberate both through church and society. sigh...choosing is hard!
It is a shame that Alfred is likely going to be trounced today. Bach is obviously well-loved by the majority of LentMadness followers - an intellectual and highly educated lot. But some of us just aren't that much into music....sorry, but that's the way it is. We tire of the dirges we hear often on Sunday, ( surely not by Bach!) , wishing for more variety of instrument and composer, which just might help us bring in some younger people. However we do love the social justice messages preached in the Episcopal church which has a long history in that movement. Given that history, my vote goes to Alfred whose love of mercy helped lay the groundwork.
I sympathise with you, Laura G.! I don't know why so many church music directors play even the most lilting, dance-like 6/8 meter sacred music like funeral marches. When David danced naked before the ark, I'll bet the music wasn't dragging!
I voted for Alfred because of his reformation of law. As he pulled his subjects out of the dark ages, his standardization of law throughout the country was especially important. Previous to the Domesday Book, punishments were arbitrary and brutal. (And even as late as Henry VIII's day, they continued to be!)
Listened to Yo Yo Ma, Cello- Bach Suites-
to be absolutely certain of my vote this morning. When the music stopped, and I came back down to earth...I thanked Bach with my vote.
What about Bach's fight with the bassoonist? Allegedly Bach had called him a nanny-goat of a bassoonist. I am a stand-up bassist and a bass clarinetist, and believe me I understand bass-abuse! I have yet to ambush a conductor at night, but there are times that the end-pins of my instruments pose a great temptation.
Still, despite bass-abuse, Bach has my vote for his lasting legacy of faith-inspiring music and his clever counterpoint.
Sorry Alfred.
Alfred--the saint who probably had Crohn's disease, and who advocated teaching in English because it was the language of the people. (Plus his feast day is my brother's birthday, so.)
Crohn's? Whatnow? Really?
As well as being a musician, I am a lawyer (a physician and PhD scientist as well). In that light I have to say that Alfred the Great's contribution to the law is only one of many -- all one has to do is look at the frieze above the Supreme Court, which includes Alfred the Great and many, many others. Bach, on the other hand, is one of a kind! His music has spanned the ages (it has even influenced many contemporary musicians). That is not to discount the contributions of Alfred the Great to our system of justice -- even as far as English Kings, one could include Richard the Lionhearted and James I as contributors and there are many, many others -- the frieze covers all four walls at the top of the Supreme Court -- wall-to-wall. There is just no comparison!
I voted for Alfred. I don't think he will win, but I think he is a vastly underrated Christian. His accomplishments laid the groundwork for much of what is good in Anglican Christianity. If he was a bit fanatical, well it sort of went with the times, and he would not have succeed as he did other wise. Bach's music is matchless, but Alfred's kingdom and church begat ours.
Please use spell check?
Both of today's contestants glorified God, but Alfred gets my vote. He stood for values that I can emulate- justice, education, the good of the whole. Bach brought us beauty (sometimes too-t00 for my ears), but I don't want to be like him.
Poor Alfred.....sorry. SDG!
Skye and Hope voted for Bach the Great (sorry Alfred) and Powerful today. They did so because the Choir Director at St. Andrew's, Mr. Wilcox, told them to do so. Apparently, Mom needs to take some "how does he get the twins to listen and do what they are told" lessons from Mr. Wilcox.
Bach. Because he wrote the St. Matthew Passion. The greatest piece of music, secular or religious, ever written.
As part of my Lenten devotions, I take one afternoon and listen to the entire piece from beginning to end. The musical matching of the text is spiritually sublime. Susan Fiore mentioned the aria about Peter's lament, "Erbarme dich," which is heartrending. But in the Evangelist's introduction to that aria-- "Und ging heraus und weinete bitterlich" ("And he [Peter] went out and wept bitterly.") -- the muscial writing just on the word "bitterly" pierces the heart even more.
Then there's the final recitative before the final chorus, after Jesus has been placed in the tomb, where in response to each of the soloists, the choir repeatedly sings, like a mother's lullaby to her dead son, "Mein Jesu, gute Nacht!" ("My Jesus, good night!"). It makes me want to rend my garments.
There are hundreds of moments in this piece just like this.
This is music written by a profoundly spiritual Christian, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
I vote for Bach. I cannot imagine how dry and colorless life would be without Bach’s music—no matter what language it is sung in, nor under which regime it is played. If Alfred had not been great, we would be in need of Bach’s music even more – civilizations and fortunes change but Bach’s music is of constant greatness. Despite any educational or political regime, Bach’s music is continuously inspiring, beautiful, spiritual, deep, even educational. It was man’s inhumanity to man that made Bach suffer—Alfred, too. So both overcame their own difficult circumstances. However, I maintain that Bach’s legacy transcends all circumstances, and benefits all humanity, and for all time.
I just finally voted after reading and re-reading about both gentleman. This was once again a toughie, but I went with Bach, because of the wonderful music he composed and just basically because
Love Bach, but love Bernard Cornwell's series of books about Alfred and the Viking era. Coin toss came up for Alfred. Probably another loss on my bracket.........
Alfred all the way! Bach was a glorious musician, but King Alfred saved Christian England from becoming a pagan kingdom ruled over by Viking warbands. He encouraged education, built burghs for protection from the raiders, and founded the British Navy. He, his son Edward and daughter Ethelflaed, grandsons Aethelstan, Edmund, & Edwy, forged England into a single nation. Give the man the honor he deserves! William the Conqueror moved Alfred's coffin from Winchester Cathedral to a small abbey. When Henry VIII started our grand denomination, the abbey was repurposed as a prison. Some convicts broke into Alfred's coffin and threw his bones away. His golden crown was taken from the Tower of London during Cromwell's Commonwealth and melted down. The greatest king England ever had, and one of the most devout, deserves more R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
That the use of "no-brainer" is offensive is a no-brainer. Cut it out. Fine reasons exist to vote for either "saint." We are all using our brains and our hearts. I just "had to" say this.
Thank you.
Need a little help, please. The introduction to Lenten Madness explains it's a tournament between 32 saints. I'm not Episcopalian, so I was unaware that Bach is a saint, as well as HB Stowe (yesterday). Really, are they saints? Briefly, what are the requirements? (Or can you point me in the right direction, please?) I'm enjoying reading these biographies, especially the early days saints!
Hi Gail. Glad you're participating in the Madness! In a sense we're all "saints" by virtue of our baptism. The Church, however, recognizes a number of people who led particularly inspired, Christ-centered lives and hold them up for commemoration. The one requirement for inclusion in the bracket is that they appear on someone's sanctoral calendar. For instance, Bach is on the Lutheran calendar, Christina the Astonishing on the Roman Catholic, James Holly on the Episcopal Church's. It's a bit confusing -- I know. The "Big S" saints are Biblical with some notable additions/exceptions. Many others simply led holy lives and the church recognizes we can be inspired by them. Hope that helps a little bit.
Hi Grace,
I haven't seen any emails from you about your email woes. However, getting the emails is easy. Just put your email address into the box on the right side of this website and hit "subscribe." After that, if they aren't coming, it's because you've blocked them or because they're stuck in a spam filter. You can try signing up with a different email address, perhaps? We tried to provide some alternatives here: https://www.lentmadness.org/2014/03/your-vote-counts/
Just use the first one: buy a purple alarm clock and set it for 8:00 a.m. Eastern time, and you'll be all set.
Happy Lent!
So if the Presbyterians would just get their act together and write a calendar, we could include Fred Rogers in Lent Madness . . . or maybe the Episcopal Church will include him by adoption and grace -- something to suggest at General Convention. As long as we're looking at a lot of changes, we might as well have one more.
Oh yes, thank you so very much! I had no idea. How interesting -- and fascinating -- to learn about the sanctoral calendar. And that it crosses through so many religions. Thank you for taking the time to explain!
Written in 1996, "Making Saints: How The Catholic Church Determines Who Becomes A Saint, Who Doesn't, And Why" is still available and does a relatively entertaining and sound job describing the history of such practices in the Catholic tradition. Other Christian traditions stem from this shared history, but each denomination has their own modern policies and procedures for adding anyone to the calendar. http://www.amazon.com/Making-Saints-Catholic-Determines-Becomes/dp/0684815303
Not all the contestants are Saints but also included are worthy people who have made large contributions to mankind. In fact, last year we had an FDR cabinet secretary in the mix.
Today I voted to go Bach to my Lutheran roots.
People who take things personally, when they are even addressed to them need to read more about what the Lord says about judging others!
I meant "aren't even addressed to them ....." Learn to not take offense where no offense was meant!
I have been trying to vote w/ intelligence and reflection. So far it as led to voting each time for the loser. So today, though I feel Alfred more worthy,my heart says to vote for Bach. And my hats off to Molly for the 'You might be......' refrence. Giggled myself silly over that.
Another day, another agonizing choice! Ultimately I went with Alfred, him being not only the underdog but a man of great import to my English ancestors and the author of a "Book of Doom." You can't fail to respect the Book of Doom!
Sorry, Bach. I know we had a graduate seminar together and everything, but you're going to win without me anyway. *waves*
These choices are tough on purpose. A significant reason is that it causes us to consider each candidate fully. I am not so concerned with being right as being authentic to my concept of why we select persons as "a christian notables." (We are all "saints" technically.) My broad criteria are that the person: enriches my own faith, broadens the appeal of Christianity to those in the wider world or swings the hammer of justice.