SKU: CA.3100349
ISBN 9790007204426. Key: A major. Language: German/English. Text: Moller, Martin.
For the 2nd Epiphany Sunday 1725, Bach composed the cantata O God, what glut of care and pain. It forms part of the annual cycle of chorale cantatas. In the large-scale opening movement, a choral setting full of anguish with expansive orchestral sections, the bass presents the cantus firmus in segments, reinforced by one trombone. This is followed directly by the second chorale verse in a four-part setting in which, however, each chorale line is interrupted by a short recitative (each one sung by a different voice). The bass, who closes the recitative, also sings the following continuo aria which is rich in melismatic passages. The second aria is a duet expanded into a quartet setting by the addition of oboes d'amore and continuo; it leads into the closing chorale containing a wealth of transitions. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3100300.
SKU: CA.3110812
ISBN 9790007047962. Key: A major / b minor. Language: German/English. Text: von Ziegler, Christiane Mariane. Text: Christiane Mariane von Ziegler.
The cantata Es ist euch gut, dass ich hingehe [It is well that I go forth] BWV 108 for Cantate Sunday is one of the cantatas composed on texts by the Leipzig poetess Christiane Mariane von Ziegler with which Bach concluded his second annual cycle of cantatas after he had abandoned the annual cycle of chorale cantatas at Easter 1725. The text contains two sayings by Jesus which are taken directly from the Sunday gospel reading (John 16:5-15). The quotation opening the cantata was set by Bach as a bass aria with solo oboe d'amore; it breathes tranquility and assurance. The second quotation, however, is set as an extended choral fugue in three sections; it forms the center of the cantata. The free text surrounding the biblical quotations is divided into two arias in which the emphasis is on melodic lines; there is only one single recitative, the original text of which was substantially abridged by Bach. A four-part chorale concludes the cantata. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3110800.
SKU: CA.3110814
ISBN 9790007047986. Key: A major / b minor. Language: German/English. Text: von Ziegler, Christiane Mariane. Text: Christiane Mariane von Ziegler.
SKU: CA.3110813
ISBN 9790007047979. Key: A major / b minor. Language: German/English. Text: von Ziegler, Christiane Mariane. Text: Christiane Mariane von Ziegler.
SKU: CA.3110809
ISBN 9790007047948. Key: A major / b minor. Language: German/English. Text: von Ziegler, Christiane Mariane. Text: Christiane Mariane von Ziegler.
The cantata Es ist euch gut, dass ich hingehe [It is well that I go forth] BWV 108 for Cantate Sunday is one of the cantatas composed on texts by the Leipzig poetess Christiane Mariane von Ziegler with which Bach concluded his second annual cycle of cantatas after he had abandoned the annual cycle of chorale cantatas at Easter 1725. The text contains two sayings by Jesus which are taken directly from the Sunday gospel reading (John 16:5-15). The quotation opening the cantata was set by Bach as a bass aria with solo oboe d'amore; it breathes tranquility and assurance. The second quotation, however, is set as an extended choral fugue in three sections; it forms the center of the cantata. The free text surrounding the biblical quotations is divided into two arias in which the emphasis is on melodic lines; there is only one single recitative, the original text of which was substantially abridged by Bach. A four-part chorale concludes the cantata. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3110800.
SKU: CA.3110805
ISBN 9790007047924. Key: A major / b minor. Language: German/English. Text: von Ziegler, Christiane Mariane. Text: Christiane Mariane von Ziegler.
The cantata Es ist euch gut, dass ich hingehe [It is well that I go forth] BWV 108 for Cantate Sunday is one of the cantatas composed on texts by the Leipzig poetess Christiane Mariane von Ziegler with which Bach concluded his second annual cycle of cantatas after he had abandoned the annual cycle of chorale cantatas at Easter 1725. The text contains two sayings by Jesus which are taken directly from the Sunday gospel reading (John 16:5-15). The quotation opening the cantata was set by Bach as a bass aria with solo oboe d'amore; it breathes tranquility and assurance. The second quotation, however, is set as an extended choral fugue in three sections; it forms the center of the cantata. The free text surrounding the biblical quotations is divided into two arias in which the emphasis is on melodic lines; there is only one single recitative, the original text of which was substantially abridged by Bach. A four-part chorale concludes the cantata. Score available separately - see item CA.3110800.
SKU: CA.3110849
Key: A major / b minor. Language: German/English. Text: von Ziegler, Christiane Mariane.
SKU: CA.3110807
ISBN 9790007047931. Key: A major / b minor. Language: German/English. Text: von Ziegler, Christiane Mariane. Text: Christiane Mariane von Ziegler.
SKU: CA.3108069
ISBN 9790007134129. 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 parts available separately - see item CA.3108000.
SKU: CA.3103212
ISBN 9790007042516. 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 and part available separately - see item CA.3103200.
SKU: CA.3103213
ISBN 9790007042523. Key: E minor / g major. Language: German/English. Text: Lehms, Georg Christian. Text: Georg Christian Lehms.
SKU: CA.3112109
ISBN 9790007207335. Language: German/English.
This 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 and parts available separately - see item CA.3112100.
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.3119619
ISBN 9790007210496. Text language: German/English.
Especially due to the early date of its composition, from the pen of the just turned 22-year-old Johann Sebastian Bach, the cantata The Lord careth for us BWV 196 has its charm, and through its conciseness, as well as its simple scoring, it is quite accessible for performance by ensembles with only modest means. The cantata was composed on the occasion of a wedding in the 1797/08, the details of which cannot be exactly ascertained. The text of the libretto contains no freely written poetry, rather is drawn solely from the Bible (Psalm 115:12-13), there are no recitatives, and the arias are kept very short. The scoring is also of modest propoportions: In addtion to the solo voices soprano, tenor and bass, as well as a four-voice choir, only strings and basso continuo are requried. The cantata begins, as is typical early Bach cantatas, with a short instrumental sinfonia and ends, not with a chorale, but with a choral movement. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3119600.
SKU: CA.3108111
ISBN 9790007045463. Key: E minor. Language: German/English.
Bach composed the cantata Jesus schlaft, was soll ich hoffen [Jesus sleeps, what hope have I] BWV 81 for the fourth Epiphany Sunday, 1724. The cantata is structured as a little drama: In the beginning, fear prevails. The seas rage and Jesus is asleep. The threateningly foaming waves are vividly depicted in the soughing string accompaniment of the tenor aria. Jesus's words Ihr Kleinglaubigen, warum seid ihr so furchtsam? [You of little faith, why are you so fearful?] are set as a bass arioso at the center of the cantata; they provide the turning point. In the subsequent bass aria, the towering seas are silenced. A recitative - Wohl mir [Well for me] - leads into the closing chorale with its certainty Unter deinen Schirmen bin ich vor den Sturmen aller Feinde frei [Under Your protection I am spared the tempests of my enemies]. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3108100.
SKU: CA.3108112
ISBN 9790007045470. Key: E minor. Language: German/English.
SKU: CA.3123511
ISBN 9790007085926. Key: G minor. Language: Latin.
As well as the Mass in B minor, there are four further, shorter mass compositions by Bach, the so-called Lutheran or Kyrie-Gloria masses. Despite their high musical qualities, they are often overshadowed by other church works by Bach. With their six-movement structure (up to the Cum sancto spiritu) they had their specific liturgical position in church services of the time of Bach. The masses largely comprise parodies, with the original music mainly taken from cantatas which Bach sometimes considerably reworked in his well-known style according to the new context of the work. Ulrich Leisinger has edited the four works for Carus in new critical editions. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3123500.
SKU: CA.3123512
ISBN 9790007085933. Key: G minor. Language: Latin.
SKU: CA.3115319
ISBN 9790007183448. Language: German/English.
Bach chose an unconventional beginning for his nine-movement cantata Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind BWV 153, which he composed in his first year as Kantor of St. Thomas's for the Sunday after New Year 1724. Instead of the usual opening chorus, the cantata opens with a simple four-part chorale movement. There are also chorales in the middle of the work (movement 5) and at the end. By avoiding extended or demanding choral movements, Bach probably wanted to save the voices of his choir members at St Thomas's, who had just been involved in a demanding week of almost constant singing. This may also be why the cantata uses just three soloists (alto, tenor, bass). In the arias, each preceded by a secco recitative, the accompaniment is provided by 2 violins and viola. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3115300.
SKU: CA.3108149
ISBN 9790007206864. Key: E minor. Text language: German/English.
SKU: CA.3108114
ISBN 9790007045494. Key: E minor. Language: German/English.
SKU: CA.3108113
ISBN 9790007045487. Key: E minor. Language: German/English.
SKU: CA.3123513
ISBN 9790007085940. Key: G minor. Language: Latin.
SKU: CA.3123514
ISBN 9790007085957. Key: G minor. Language: Latin.
SKU: CA.3123519
ISBN 9790007137380. Key: G minor. Language: Latin.
As well as the Mass in B minor, there are four further, shorter mass compositions by Bach, the so-called Lutheran or Kyrie-Gloria masses. Despite their high musical qualities, they are often overshadowed by other church works by Bach. With their six-movement structure (up to the Cum sancto spiritu) they had their specific liturgical position in church services of the time of Bach. The masses largely comprise parodies, with the original music mainly taken from cantatas which Bach sometimes considerably reworked in his well-known style according to the new context of the work. Ulrich Leisinger has edited the four works for Carus in new critical editions. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3123500.
SKU: CA.3108109
ISBN 9790007045456. Key: E minor. Language: German/English.
Bach composed the cantata Jesus schlaft, was soll ich hoffen [Jesus sleeps, what hope have I] BWV 81 for the fourth Epiphany Sunday, 1724. The cantata is structured as a little drama: In the beginning, fear prevails. The seas rage and Jesus is asleep. The threateningly foaming waves are vividly depicted in the soughing string accompaniment of the tenor aria. Jesus's words Ihr Kleinglaubigen, warum seid ihr so furchtsam? [You of little faith, why are you so fearful?] are set as a bass arioso at the center of the cantata; they provide the turning point. In the subsequent bass aria, the towering seas are silenced. A recitative - Wohl mir [Well for me] - leads into the closing chorale with its certainty Unter deinen Schirmen bin ich vor den Sturmen aller Feinde frei [Under Your protection I am spared the tempests of my enemies]. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3108100.
SKU: CA.3119409
ISBN 9790007210304. Language: German/English.
The cantata Hochsterwunschtes Freudenfest BWV 194 was composed for an organ dedication on 2 November 1723 in Stormthal, Saxony. A year later, and with just a few alterations, the cantata was performed again in Leipzig on Trinity Sunday. Our edition takes this Leipzig version of 1724 as its source. The special occasion of its composition is reflected in the extent of the composition which has twelve, instead of the usual six, movements. The orchestral scoring is for strings and three obbligato oboes. A special feature of the cantata is its structure as an orchestral suite. The beginning is a spirited opening chorus in the style of a French overture. The bass aria in the third movement has the character of a pastorale, and the following aria (movement 5) in turn has the character of a gavotte, etc. A simple four-part chorale concludes this multifaceted composition, marked by some extremely heartfelt moments. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3119400.
SKU: CA.3119419
ISBN 9790007210359. Language: German/English.
SKU: CA.3117419
ISBN 9790007187248. Language: German/English. Text: Henrici (Picander), Christian Friedrich.
The cantata Ich liebe den Hochsten von ganzem Gemute (I love the Almighty with all of my spirit) BWV 174 was composed for Whit Monday 1729. It probably belongs to Bach's fourth cycle of cantatas, known as the Picander cycle. Most of the cantata is taken up by the introductory Sinfonia. This is a reworking of the first movement of the famous third Brandenburg Concerto BWV 1048. Bach took the movement almost unaltered and simply added wind parts to strengthen the sound to the nine string parts (three violins, three violas, three violoncelli) and basso continuo - two corni da caccia and two oboes, reinforced by two violins, an oboe da caccia (taille) and a viola. The following movements (aria, recitative, aria) form a distinct contrast with their chamber music scoring (two oboes or one or two string parts with basso continuo). A simple four-part chorale concludes the cantata. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3117400.
SKU: CA.3105209
ISBN 9790007206307. Language: German/English. Text: Birkmann, Christoph.
It only became apparent a few years ago that the text of the soprano cantata Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht came from the collection Gott-geheiligten Sabbaths-Zehnden by the Leipzig theology student and Bach pupil Christoph Birkmann, printed in 1728 in Nuremberg. Birkmann was probably therefore the author of the text. The cantata was written for the 23rd Sunday after Trinity, which fell on 24 November 1726 in the year of its first performance. As in other cantatas in the first annual cycle, Bach chose an instrumental sinfonia as the opening movement - here the first movement of the 1st Brandenburg Concerto. The soprano soloist has two recitatives and two arias, in which the falsehood of the world is juxtaposed with trust in God. The cantata text is rounded off with the first verse of the chorale In dich hab ich gehoffet, scored for four-part chorus, as is usual with Bach. With the use of two horns and three oboes added to the string ensemble, the cantata has colorful and varied orchestration. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3105200.
