His recordings of the keyboard and organ music demonstrate a subtle ear for color, a keen sense of harmonic direction, and an ability to make phrases breathe and rhythms live. But while no one doubts that first- rate musicianship is necessary for playing Bach, the question is whether it is all an artist needs to bring the sacred music to life. An ambivalent answer is appropriate, because the matter is complex. On one hand, a nuanced, responsive rendition of a Bach sacred work demands more than a mature grasp of musical structure and style. It also asks a performer to understand, even enter into, the world view of an orthodox Lutheran in the early 18th century.
Responsive performers sound as if they believe in sin, hell, redemption and eternal life.
Yet they can sound that way without themselves believing. Being a Protestant might help you relate to Bach's message, but there are other ways to manage it. Indeed, having a modern Christian faith might contribute far less to responsive performance than understanding period conventions in theology, liturgy, sacred poetry and sacred music. They had heard it earlier that day, in the hymn at the end of morning services. It is true that even a performer who understands all this will never recreate the effect Bach intended.