Composer Kian Ravaei joins us this week as guest and shares with us the powerful spiritual connection points that Bach has made recently in his life in this interview.  Kian describes the power that the music of Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (cantata 140), the St. Matthew Passion, and the collected chorales have had on him. We discuss the particular powers of Bach's music to move us spiritually, give us autonomy as a listener, inspire us to meaningfully create in times of hardship and times of grief, and guide us to compose with proper technique.

Thanks Kian for sharing your story with us on our podcast! 

As Kian notes, the "Wachet auf" cantata centers on the story of the wise and the foolish bridesmaids -- a parable about being ready. The bridesmaids (us) await the groom (Jesus Christ). The most famous moment is the middle chorale verse sung by the tenors, but at the end of this interview we will play for you the Netherlands Bach Society recording of the closing chorale which summarizes our interview and the meaningfulness of the chorales to us composers. 

Cantata 140: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqZE54i-muE

St. Matthew Passion: https://youtu.be/ZwVW1ttVhuQ