There are five extant motets firmly attributed to Bach
-- a small number compared with his huge output of
cantatas. Whereas the more plentiful cantatas served a
liturgical purpose, the Lutheran church had no need of
such short choral works, utilizing instead the large
stock of motets already available in Leipzig and
elsewhere. Bach's motets were therefore all composed
for special occasions in Leipzig, primarily funerals --
events particularly suited to such serious contrapuntal
compositions. ...(+)
There are five extant motets firmly attributed to Bach
-- a small number compared with his huge output of
cantatas. Whereas the more plentiful cantatas served a
liturgical purpose, the Lutheran church had no need of
such short choral works, utilizing instead the large
stock of motets already available in Leipzig and
elsewhere. Bach's motets were therefore all composed
for special occasions in Leipzig, primarily funerals --
events particularly suited to such serious contrapuntal
compositions.
Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (Praise the Lord, all ye
heathen), BWV 230, is a motet by Johann Sebastian Bach.
It draws its text from Psalm 117 Verses 1-2.
The work is generally regarded as one of six surviving
motets by Bach. It is the only one of the set to be
scored for four voices. It is also unusual in that
(lightly-scored) instrumental accompaniment is
specified.
The work was first published in 1821. The publisher
claimed to have had access to an autograph score.
However, some scholars have expressed doubts about the
attribution to Bach.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobet_den_Herrn,_alle_He
iden,_BWV_230).
I created this arrangement of the Chorus "Lobet den
Herrn, alle Heiden" (Praise the Lord, all nations) for
Woodwind Quartet (Flute, Oboe, English Horn and
Bassoon).
PARTITION