Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) was a German
composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and
violinist of the Baroque period. He enriched many
established German styles through his skill in
counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and
the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from
abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's
compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the
Mass in B minor, the The Well-Tempered Clavier, his
cantatas, chorales, partitas, Passions, and...(+)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) was a German
composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and
violinist of the Baroque period. He enriched many
established German styles through his skill in
counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and
the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from
abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's
compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the
Mass in B minor, the The Well-Tempered Clavier, his
cantatas, chorales, partitas, Passions, and organ
works. His music is revered for its intellectual depth,
technical command, and artistic beauty.
The Mass in B minor (BWV 232) by Johann Sebastian Bach
is a musical setting of the complete Latin Mass. The
work was one of Bach's last, not completed until 1749,
the year before his death. Much of the Mass gave new
form to some of the vocal music that Bach had composed
throughout his career, dating back (in the case of the
"Crucifixus") to 1714, almost always extensively
revised. To complete the work, however, in the late
1740s Bach composed new sections of the Credo such as
"Et incarnatus est". The completed Mass was his last
major composition.
It was unusual for composers working in the Lutheran
tradition to compose a Missa tota and Bach's
motivations remain a matter of scholarly debate. The
Mass was never performed in totality during Bach's
lifetime; the first documented complete performance
took place in 1859. Since the nineteenth century it has
been widely hailed as one of the greatest compositions
in history, and today it is frequently performed and
recorded.
"Crucifixus" ("Crucified") is a 4-part chorus (Soprano
II, Alto, Tenor, Bass) in E minor (Part II No. 5) with
no autograph tempo marking, 3/2 time signature. The
music is a reworking of the first section of the first
chorus of the 1714 cantata Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen,
Zagen, BWV 12.
Although originally written for Chorus (SATB), I
created this arrangement for Concrt (Pedal) Harp &
Woodwind Quartet (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet & Bassoon). |
SHEET MUSIC