Aria and Variation 13 from Passion for Bach and Coltrane

Passion for Bach and Coltrane was inspired by the poetry of A. B. Spellman, from his book of poems Things I Must Have Known , (c) 2008 Coffee House Press. The poetry speaks to the musical mastery of J.S. Bach, John Coltrane and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, as well as religion and mortality.

I have long desired to set poetry to music and was particularly drawn to that of A.B. Spellman because of their strong references to both jazz and classical music as well as the question of faith. The tradition of Passions or musical settings of the Gospel narratives dates to the 4th Century. Bach wrote several though only two have survived. Here the premise of the Passion is explored rather than the actual Biblical accounts. Orated poems in lieu of the intoned Gospel. Bach, Coltrane, Rubalcaba and Spellman in lieu of the traditional Biblical characters. And though the work is original, it is anchored by this poetry with reference to two significant works by Bach and Coltrane, The Goldberg Variations and A Love Supreme, works written at the pinnacle of their maturation. Passion explores the influence of spirituality on the art of these masters and asks the inevitable question, what if J.S. Bach and John Coltrane might chance to meet?