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Technical Notice
| Classical Composer: | Bach, Johann Sebastian |
|---|---|
| Lyricist: | Bible - New Testament |
| Work: | Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243 |
| Year Composed: | 1731 |
| Instrumentation: | vv,SATB - 2, 2+2 obd'a, 0, 2 - 0, 3, 0, 0, timp, org, str (2.2.1.1.1) |
| Publishers: |
Edwin F. Kalmus Bärenreiter Verlag C.F. Peters Frankfurt Carus-Verlag GmbH & Co. KG Chester Music and Novello & Co. Edition Eulenburg Breitkopf & Härtel |
| Duration: | 00:34:00 |
| Period: | Baroque (1600-1750) |
| Work Category: | Choral - Sacred |
Work Information
Available Recording(s)
Bach's Magnificat was originally heard in Leipzig in 1723 in a version in E flat major at Christmas Vespers, when movements with seasonal texts were inserted; the version included on this disc was made by Bach some years later, returning to the ordinary Magnificat text in order to make the work performable all year round. Bach's approach to the evening canticle is characteristically large-scale. There is no use of recitative, owing perhaps to the poetic nature of the text: the verses have little natural order of importance and it is appropriate that they should all be afforded extended settings. The scoring is unusually rich and includes three trumpets, two flutes, two oboes, strings, continuo, and timpani - one of the largest ensembles to be assembled at the Thomaskirche in Bach's time. Bach takes a literal view of the text in which, for instance, the full five-part choir is used to demonstrate Omnes generationes (All generations) with soloists used for the more reflective movements. In a typically Bachian gesture the opening material returns for Sicut erat in principio (As it was in the beginning).
Writer: Robert Rice
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