Cantata No. 80 -- Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott

SKU: CA.3108063

ISBN 9790007206819. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin / Franck, Salomo.

The Reformation cantata Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BWV 80b, published by Carus-Verlag for the first time in a practical performing edition, remained unknown to Bach scholars until well into the 20th century. The evidence of its existence is three fragments of the first folio of Bach's score, which can be dated to the years 1728-1731. By contrast, the long-familiar expanded new version of the cantata with its powerful opening chorus (BWV 80) dates from the 1730s or 1740s. It only survives in a copy of Bach's score, but this allows conclusions to be drawn about the history of the versions; thus, by using the fragments mentioned above, it has been possible to reconstruct the first version. This result is a Bach cantata which is less extensive and in a more concise normal format, with reduced wind instruments. A relaxed, contrapuntal four-part chorale movement with the first and last verses of the Lutheran hymn forms the framework, and the other movements are the same as in the later new version. This simpler cantata is also entirely suitable for celebrating Reformation Day, as Bach did around 1730. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3108000.

SKU: CA.3108061

ISBN 9790007206796. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin / Franck, Salomo.

The Reformation cantata Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BWV 80b, published by Carus-Verlag for the first time in a practical performing edition, remained unknown to Bach scholars until well into the 20th century. The evidence of its existence is three fragments of the first folio of Bach's score, which can be dated to the years 1728-1731. By contrast, the long-familiar expanded new version of the cantata with its powerful opening chorus (BWV 80) dates from the 1730s or 1740s. It only survives in a copy of Bach's score, but this allows conclusions to be drawn about the history of the versions; thus, by using the fragments mentioned above, it has been possible to reconstruct the first version. This result is a Bach cantata which is less extensive and in a more concise normal format, with reduced wind instruments. A relaxed, contrapuntal four-part chorale movement with the first and last verses of the Lutheran hymn forms the framework, and the other movements are the same as in the later new version. This simpler cantata is also entirely suitable for celebrating Reformation Day, as Bach did around 1730. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3108000.

SKU: CA.3108055

ISBN 9790007183387. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin / Franck, Salomo.

The Reformation cantata Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BWV 80b, published by Carus-Verlag for the first time in a practical performing edition, remained unknown to Bach scholars until well into the 20th century. The evidence of its existence is three fragments of the first folio of Bach's score, which can be dated to the years 1728-1731. By contrast, the long-familiar expanded new version of the cantata with its powerful opening chorus (BWV 80) dates from the 1730s or 1740s. It only survives in a copy of Bach's score, but this allows conclusions to be drawn about the history of the versions; thus, by using the fragments mentioned above, it has been possible to reconstruct the first version. This result is a Bach cantata which is less extensive and in a more concise normal format, with reduced wind instruments. A relaxed, contrapuntal four-part chorale movement with the first and last verses of the Lutheran hymn forms the framework, and the other movements are the same as in the later new version. This simpler cantata is also entirely suitable for celebrating Reformation Day, as Bach did around 1730. Score available separately - see item CA.3108000.

SKU: CA.3108062

ISBN 9790007206802. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin / Franck, Salomo.

The Reformation cantata Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BWV 80b, published by Carus-Verlag for the first time in a practical performing edition, remained unknown to Bach scholars until well into the 20th century. The evidence of its existence is three fragments of the first folio of Bach's score, which can be dated to the years 1728-1731. By contrast, the long-familiar expanded new version of the cantata with its powerful opening chorus (BWV 80) dates from the 1730s or 1740s. It only survives in a copy of Bach's score, but this allows conclusions to be drawn about the history of the versions; thus, by using the fragments mentioned above, it has been possible to reconstruct the first version. This result is a Bach cantata which is less extensive and in a more concise normal format, with reduced wind instruments. A relaxed, contrapuntal four-part chorale movement with the first and last verses of the Lutheran hymn forms the framework, and the other movements are the same as in the later new version. This simpler cantata is also entirely suitable for celebrating Reformation Day, as Bach did around 1730. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3108000.

SKU: CA.3108064

ISBN 9790007206826. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin / Franck, Salomo.

The Reformation cantata Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BWV 80b, published by Carus-Verlag for the first time in a practical performing edition, remained unknown to Bach scholars until well into the 20th century. The evidence of its existence is three fragments of the first folio of Bach's score, which can be dated to the years 1728-1731. By contrast, the long-familiar expanded new version of the cantata with its powerful opening chorus (BWV 80) dates from the 1730s or 1740s. It only survives in a copy of Bach's score, but this allows conclusions to be drawn about the history of the versions; thus, by using the fragments mentioned above, it has been possible to reconstruct the first version. This result is a Bach cantata which is less extensive and in a more concise normal format, with reduced wind instruments. A relaxed, contrapuntal four-part chorale movement with the first and last verses of the Lutheran hymn forms the framework, and the other movements are the same as in the later new version. This simpler cantata is also entirely suitable for celebrating Reformation Day, as Bach did around 1730. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3108000.

SKU: CA.3108013

ISBN 9790007045371. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin. Text: Martin Luther, Salomo Franck.

Bach's Reformation cantata, based on what is probably Martin Luther's most famous hymn, evolved over a period of several years. At the beginning was a Weimar cantata for Oculi Sunday 1716, now missing, which was based on the hymn with an instrumental quotation in the opening aria and with the final chorale. In the Leipzig years around 1730, Bach wrote a cantata for Reformation Day using this material. It began with the first verses of Luther's hymn in a simple four-part setting and also included the other verses. Later on, in the 1730s or 1740s, Bach replaced the introductory chorale movement with a chorale setting which was unique, spacious and motet-like in its style; this - uniquely in this respect - incorporated the choral writing in an instrumental canon for oboes and organ continuo. The powerful opening chorus is followed by recitatives and arias which reflect the full breadth of Bach's art of word painting and emotion. One of Bach's most magnificent cantatas, one of the greatest works in the history of music. In addition to the complete performance material the arrangements of movements 1 and 5 (with 3 trumpets, timpani as playing score) by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach are available (Carus 3108089). Score and part available separately - see item CA.3108000.

SKU: CA.1007100

ISBN 9790007018061. Key: C major. Language: German. Text: Luther, Martin.

SKU: CA.1019111

ISBN 9790007021788. Language: German. Text: Luther, Martin.

Score available separately - see item CA.1019100.

SKU: CA.1019113

ISBN 9790007021801. Language: German. Text: Luther, Martin.

Score available separately - see item CA.1019100.

SKU: CA.1019112

ISBN 9790007021795. Language: German. Text: Luther, Martin.

Score available separately - see item CA.1019100.

SKU: CA.1007109

ISBN 9790007018085. Key: C major. Language: German. Text: Luther, Martin.

Score available separately - see item CA.1007100.

SKU: CY.CC2954

ISBN 9790530057735.

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (Our God is a secure fortress), BWV 80 is a church cantata based on Martin Luther's hymn that Bach composed for Reformation Day around the year 1723.
This movement Aria and Chorale is the second movement of the cantata. The Euphonium/Trombone part performs the bass solo and the Trumpet 1 part performs the Soprano/Oboe solo which is the Chorale itself in an embellished style of the melody.
Justin Bland has done a superb job of arranging this beautiful movement of about 4.5 minutes in length for moderately advanced performers.
Instrumentation is: Trumpet 1 (C & B-flat parts are provided), Trumpet 2/Flugelhorn in B-flat, Horn, Euphonium/Trombone in bass clef & Tuba.