Johann Sebastian Bach: Sixth French Suite

SKU: CA.3112107

ISBN 9790007241544. Language: German/English.

Thi s six-movement chorale cantata was first performed on 26 December 1724. The text is based on the Lutheran translation of the early Christian hymn A solis ortus cardinem. The outer movements frame two arias for tenor and bass, and two secco recitatives for alto and soprano. The first and sixth movements are in old-fashioned style, with four-part vocal writing and colla parte instruments. In the aria (movement 2) the tenor is accompanied by an obbligato oboe d'amore, and in the 4th and most striking movement, the three string parts accompany the bass. The demands on the singers, instrumentalists, and chorus are typical of a Bach cantata. Score available separately - see item CA.3112100.

SKU: BT.EMBZ7190

English-German-Hungari an.

The most important and only autograph source of the French Suites, the Klavierbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach (1722) contains the first three suites in fragments only, and the sixth not at all. This is why the numerous copies which have come down to us, are of special significance. Among the copies of major importance is the manuscript which for a long time had been attributed to Bach, and which comprises the first for suites in full (Deutsche Staastsbibliothek, Berlin) as well as the copy by Gerber (1725-26) and the second volume of the Klavierbüchlein (1925). A few manuscripts originating from the circle of Bach's pupils should also be added to them.The texts of thevarious copies show a lot of deviations. The present edition relies on the first formulation - at least where this can be decided at all - but it gives all the major devations of the copies as variants, either in footnotes or after the movement concerned. (Tamás Zászkaliczky).

SKU: CA.3113309

ISBN 9790007207977. Language: German.

The cantata Ich freue mich in dir was first performed during Bach's second year as Thomaskantor, on the 3rd day of Christmas, and belongs to the so-called annual cycle of chorale cantatas. Here the focus of the composition is the hymn of the same name by Philipp Ziegler, in which the first and final strophes were adopted, word for word, in the first and sixth movements of the cantata. The soprano, which carries the chorale, is supported by the conrnett (Zink), which already at this time had become a seldom-used instrument. The joyful, lively choral movement with instrumental interludes directly follows the first aria, and begins with a marked, ascending motive at the word Getrost! (safely). The oboes d'amore which accompany the alto lend the movement a special color. In the second aria (for soprano), Bach again shows himself to be the master of text interpretation. The words Wie lieblich klingt es in den Ohren are emphasized in an exchange between open strings and sixteenth note figures. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3113300.

SKU: CA.3113319

ISBN 9790007141127. Language: German.

The cantata Ich freue mich in dir was first performed during Bach's second year as Thomaskantor, on the 3rd day of Christmas, and belongs to the so-called annual cycle of chorale cantatas. Here the focus of the composition is the hymn of the same name by Philipp Ziegler, in which the first and final strophes were adopted, word for word, in the first and sixth movements of the cantata. The soprano, which carries the chorale, is supported by the conrnett (Zink), which already at this time had become a seldom-used instrument. The joyful, lively choral movement with instrumental interludes directly follows the first aria, and begins with a marked, ascending motive at the word Getrost! (safely). The oboes d'amore which accompany the alto lend the movement a special color. In the second aria (for soprano), Bach again shows himself to be the master of text interpretation. The words Wie lieblich klingt es in den Ohren are emphasized in an exchange between open strings and sixteenth note figures. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3113300.

SKU: CA.3113300

ISBN 9790007097486. Language: German.

The cantata Ich freue mich in dir was first performed during Bach's second year as Thomaskantor, on the 3rd day of Christmas, and belongs to the so-called annual cycle of chorale cantatas. Here the focus of the composition is the hymn of the same name by Philipp Ziegler, in which the first and final strophes were adopted, word for word, in the first and sixth movements of the cantata. The soprano, which carries the chorale, is supported by the conrnett (Zink), which already at this time had become a seldom-used instrument. The joyful, lively choral movement with instrumental interludes directly follows the first aria, and begins with a marked, ascending motive at the word Getrost! (safely). The oboes d'amore which accompany the alto lend the movement a special color. In the second aria (for soprano), Bach again shows himself to be the master of text interpretation. The words Wie lieblich klingt es in den Ohren are emphasized in an exchange between open strings and sixteenth note figures.

SKU: HL.4008644

ISBN 9798350115024. UPC: 196288189695.

The Passacaglia is a set of instrumental variations based on an ostinato bass. Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C-minor for organ represents the pinnacle of what had been achieved in this compositional form at that time. In Franco Cesarini’s arrangement for large wind orchestra, the particularly careful interpretation of the original piece enables him to exploit all the sound colors at his disposal, and in this sumptuous guise Bach's work also takes on a grandiose dimension, albeit tinged with late-Romanticism. The exposition of the beautiful theme begins in the bass part, immediately creating a solemn and serious atmosphere which is accentuated by the intensely pathetic character of the first variations. Up to the tenth variation it remains confined to the bass, but in subsequent ones it also passes to the soprano and alto register. The integrity of the theme is also embellished with elegant arpeggios, in whose lower and higher extensions the theme can be distinguished. Towards the end it returns to the bass in an impressive thickening of the polyphonic texture that swiftly re-establishes the key of C-minor. The “Thema fugatum” which follows immediately does not constitute a Fugue in its own right, rather it is nothing but the twenty-first and most extensive variation of the Passacaglia. This time Bach uses only the first half of the theme, superimposing a rhythmic countersubject that considerably enlivens the entire development of the composition. The polyphonic discourse becomes increasingly dense, until the building tension peaks in a powerful “Neapolitan sixth” chord, followed by a sudden pause. This culminating moment then leads to the coda and final cadence on a bright C-major chord.

SKU: CA.3113305

ISBN 9790007161934. Language: German.

The cantata Ich freue mich in dir was first performed during Bach's second year as Thomaskantor, on the 3rd day of Christmas, and belongs to the so-called annual cycle of chorale cantatas. Here the focus of the composition is the hymn of the same name by Philipp Ziegler, in which the first and final strophes were adopted, word for word, in the first and sixth movements of the cantata. The soprano, which carries the chorale, is supported by the conrnett (Zink), which already at this time had become a seldom-used instrument. The joyful, lively choral movement with instrumental interludes directly follows the first aria, and begins with a marked, ascending motive at the word Getrost! (safely). The oboes d'amore which accompany the alto lend the movement a special color. In the second aria (for soprano), Bach again shows himself to be the master of text interpretation. The words Wie lieblich klingt es in den Ohren are emphasized in an exchange between open strings and sixteenth note figures. Score available separately - see item CA.3113300.

SKU: CA.3113349

ISBN 9790007207984. Language: German.

The cantata Ich freue mich in dir was first performed during Bach's second year as Thomaskantor, on the 3rd day of Christmas, and belongs to the so-called annual cycle of chorale cantatas. Here the focus of the composition is the hymn of the same name by Philipp Ziegler, in which the first and final strophes were adopted, word for word, in the first and sixth movements of the cantata. The soprano, which carries the chorale, is supported by the conrnett (Zink), which already at this time had become a seldom-used instrument. The joyful, lively choral movement with instrumental interludes directly follows the first aria, and begins with a marked, ascending motive at the word Getrost! (safely). The oboes d'amore which accompany the alto lend the movement a special color. In the second aria (for soprano), Bach again shows himself to be the master of text interpretation. The words Wie lieblich klingt es in den Ohren are emphasized in an exchange between open strings and sixteenth note figures. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3113300.

SKU: TM.01751SC

Sandra Dackow Little Known Gem - Grade IV+. Ed. by Hoffmann. This delightful set of works in the keys of G, A, and B-flat major takes full advantage of multiple stops, chords, and fiddle writing that lays easily under the hand and is fun to play. The fast movements are vigorous and the contrasting slow movements are not particularly fussy or florid, though they include some ornamentation. In the Allegro sections, musicians should approach the playing as they would a work by Haydn or Mozart: eighth and quarter notes off the string and at the frog, and sixteenth notes on the string. Stamitz's players would have followed the general rule of the down bow, where the strong beat would begin with a down bow. In Concerto No. 1 in G, the Violin I parts reach to sixth position, requiring high G's. Unusual writing for its time, these passages are both logical and easy for players to find and hear. Cello and bass parts reach high F's on occasion and require third, fourth and fifth positions. The second violin and viola parts do not require extended ranges, making this work practical for an upper intermediate orchestra. The slow movements transition between different keys and requires the low strings to use extension notes such as G-sharp and A-sharp.

SKU: TM.01750VS

Sandra Dackow Little Known Gem - Grade IV+. Ed. by Hoffmann. This delightful set of works in the keys of G, A, and B-flat major takes full advantage of multiple stops, chords, and fiddle writing that lays easily under the hand and is fun to play. The fast movements are vigorous and the contrasting slow movements are not particularly fussy or florid, though they include some ornamentation. In the Allegro sections, musicians should approach the playing as they would a work by Haydn or Mozart: eighth and quarter notes off the string and at the frog, and sixteenth notes on the string. Stamitz's players would have followed the general rule of the down bow, where the strong beat would begin with a down bow. In Concerto No. 1 in G, the Violin I parts reach to sixth position, requiring high G's. Unusual writing for its time, these passages are both logical and easy for players to find and hear. Cello and bass parts reach high F's on occasion and require third, fourth and fifth positions. The second violin and viola parts do not require extended ranges, making this work practical for an upper intermediate orchestra. The slow movements transition between different keys and requires the low strings to use extension notes such as G-sharp and A-sharp.

SKU: TM.01751SET

Sandra Dackow Little Known Gem - Grade IV+. Ed. by Hoffmann. This delightful set of works in the keys of G, A, and B-flat major takes full advantage of multiple stops, chords, and fiddle writing that lays easily under the hand and is fun to play. The fast movements are vigorous and the contrasting slow movements are not particularly fussy or florid, though they include some ornamentation. In the Allegro sections, musicians should approach the playing as they would a work by Haydn or Mozart: eighth and quarter notes off the string and at the frog, and sixteenth notes on the string. Stamitz's players would have followed the general rule of the down bow, where the strong beat would begin with a down bow. In Concerto No. 1 in G, the Violin I parts reach to sixth position, requiring high G's. Unusual writing for its time, these passages are both logical and easy for players to find and hear. Cello and bass parts reach high F's on occasion and require third, fourth and fifth positions. The second violin and viola parts do not require extended ranges, making this work practical for an upper intermediate orchestra. The slow movements transition between different keys and requires the low strings to use extension notes such as G-sharp and A-sharp.

SKU: CA.3106212

ISBN 9790007043629. Key: B minor. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin. Text: Martin Luther.

Bach's second cantata starting with the text Come now, God's chosen saviour (II) BWV 62 was first performed in 1724 on the 1st Advent Sunday (which, at that time, was the only Advent Sunday with church music in Leipzig) and belongs to the annual cycle of chorale cantatas. As was usual for chorale cantatas, the unknown librettist used the first and last verses of Martin Luther's hymn verbatim for the opening chorus and the concluding chorale but adapted the texts of the inner verses. After two contrasting arias - the one dance-like, the second almost heroic - an almost enraptured accompagnato (Wir ehren diese Herrlichtkeit, und nahen nun zu deiner Krippen), in which the soprano and contralto mostly sing in parallel thirds and sixths, leads to a simple concluding chorale. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3106200.

SKU: CA.3106207

ISBN 9790007043599. Key: B minor. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin. Text: Martin Luther.

Bach's second cantata starting with the text Come now, God's chosen saviour (II) BWV 62 was first performed in 1724 on the 1st Advent Sunday (which, at that time, was the only Advent Sunday with church music in Leipzig) and belongs to the annual cycle of chorale cantatas. As was usual for chorale cantatas, the unknown librettist used the first and last verses of Martin Luther's hymn verbatim for the opening chorus and the concluding chorale but adapted the texts of the inner verses. After two contrasting arias - the one dance-like, the second almost heroic - an almost enraptured accompagnato (Wir ehren diese Herrlichtkeit, und nahen nun zu deiner Krippen), in which the soprano and contralto mostly sing in parallel thirds and sixths, leads to a simple concluding chorale. Score available separately - see item CA.3106200.

SKU: CA.3106249

ISBN 9790007043650. Key: B minor. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin. Text: Martin Luther.

Bach's second cantata starting with the text Come now, God's chosen saviour (II) BWV 62 was first performed in 1724 on the 1st Advent Sunday (which, at that time, was the only Advent Sunday with church music in Leipzig) and belongs to the annual cycle of chorale cantatas. As was usual for chorale cantatas, the unknown librettist used the first and last verses of Martin Luther's hymn verbatim for the opening chorus and the concluding chorale but adapted the texts of the inner verses. After two contrasting arias - the one dance-like, the second almost heroic - an almost enraptured accompagnato (Wir ehren diese Herrlichtkeit, und nahen nun zu deiner Krippen), in which the soprano and contralto mostly sing in parallel thirds and sixths, leads to a simple concluding chorale. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3106200.

SKU: CA.3106209

ISBN 9790007043605. Key: B minor. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin. Text: Martin Luther.

Bach's second cantata starting with the text Come now, God's chosen saviour (II) BWV 62 was first performed in 1724 on the 1st Advent Sunday (which, at that time, was the only Advent Sunday with church music in Leipzig) and belongs to the annual cycle of chorale cantatas. As was usual for chorale cantatas, the unknown librettist used the first and last verses of Martin Luther's hymn verbatim for the opening chorus and the concluding chorale but adapted the texts of the inner verses. After two contrasting arias - the one dance-like, the second almost heroic - an almost enraptured accompagnato (Wir ehren diese Herrlichtkeit, und nahen nun zu deiner Krippen), in which the soprano and contralto mostly sing in parallel thirds and sixths, leads to a simple concluding chorale. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3106200.