SKU: BR.OB-4949-15

ISBN 9790004326299. 10 x 12.5 inches.

For the composition of the Christmas Oratorio, Bach made use of the parody method - as he did in other large vocal works as well - that is, he drew upon previously written pieces (here primarily from the Congratulatory Cantatas BWV 213 and 214) and skilfully adapted them to the new text. It is likely that Bach began working on the music during the Advent period of 1734. Besides the first performance which took place during the Christmas season 1734/35, it seems quite probable that other performances were held during Bachs lifetime, since the original, partly autographic performance material discloses traces of frequent use.

For the composition of the Christmas Oratorio, Bach made use of the parody method - as he did in other large vocal works as well - that is, he drew upon previously written pieces and skilfully adapted them to the new text.

SKU: HL.48019731

Score and Parts.

SKU: BR.OB-5354-12

Bach's manuscript leaves several questions unanswered.

ISBN 9790004337820. 10 x 12.5 inches.

When an editorial formula proves to be as compelling as in the case of the E-major Concerto BWV 1042, then its obvious that it is going to be applied again: this time to Klaus Hofmanns new Urtext edition of the A-minor Concerto. Bachs manuscript leaves several questions unanswered. The slurring, particularly in the solo part, is once again equivocal and inconsistent. Bach himself expected his performers to be creative, which is why the interpretative suggestions of Baroque expert Sigiswald Kuijken are particularly welcome. The edition for violin and keyboard instrument (with continuo ad lib.) once again contains three violin parts (the first unmarked, the second with markings and comments by Sigiswald Kuijken, the third as a facsimile). This provides well-grounded stimuli for ones own personal interpretation based on historically informed performance practice. The keyboard arrangement by Siegfried Petrenz is transparent and easy to play. A violoncello part has been added for chamber-music.

SKU: CA.3103205

ISBN 9790007042493. Key: E minor / g major. Language: German/English. Text: Lehms, Georg Christian. Text: Georg Christian Lehms.

The text of the cantata Dearest Jesus, sore I need Thee for the 1st Epiphany Sunday 1726 was written by the Darmstadt poet Georg Christian Lehms. It is conceived as a dialog between Jesus and the Faithful Soul. Bach titled his cantata Concerto in Dialogo and accordingly, it is structured as a dialog between soprano and bass, set in the voice types that were - not only for Bach - typically used for the soul (soprano) and Jesus (bass). The cantata is based on the narrative of the twelve-year-old boy Jesus in the temple; however, in spite of closely following the gospel text, it is interpreted more widely here: it is through Jesus that the believer finds God's dwelling. Bach creates a great arch from the opening aria full of yearning and searching through to the joyful duet Nun verschwinden alle Plagen. He himself added the four-part closing chorale to the text model, thus communicating the sense of joyous certainty to the congregation of believers. Score available separately - see item CA.3103200.

SKU: CA.3130820

ISBN 9790007188368.

Score available separately - see item CA.3130800.