SKU: CA.3122791

Key: E minor. German. Text: Johann Frank.

For many choral singers Jesu, meine Freude is not just a motet by Bach, but the motet par excellence. Bach's motets as a whole have to be described as exceptional works, but even amongst these this is an exceptional work which is out of the ordinary not only in terms of its length. The formal conception, with its alternating chorale and Bible verses in 11 sections in a symmetrical structure, is also unique. The motet was very probably composed for a funeral, but no further details about this are known. By comparison, there are clear indications that the motet, as we now know it, was probably not composed in one go, but was composed over a long period of time. Score available separately - see item CA.3122700.

SKU: CA.3118713

ISBN 9790007209988. Text language: German/English.

The two-part cantata from Bach's third cycle of cantatas was performed for the first time on 4 August 1726 (the 7th Sunday after Trinity). The large-scale opening chorus for full forces to a text from Psalm 104 shows in its formal diversity Bach at the height of his powers. The second part of the cantata begins with a biblical text (Matthew 6, 31 ff.), not as a choral movement here, but as an extended bass arioso (Vox Christi). A meditative soprano aria with solo oboe forms the high point of the second part. Bach re-used the opening chorus, both the arias and even the bass arioso later in the G minor Mass BWV 235. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3118700.

SKU: CA.3105711

ISBN 9790007206567. Language: German/English. Text: Lehms, Georg Christian. Text: Georg Christian Lehms.

The first performance of this cantata, which belongs to Bach's third annual cycle of cantatas, took place on the 2nd day of Christmas in 1725. With the exception of the closing chorale, with a text from 1711 by Georg Christian Lehms, the text of the cantata refers to St. Stephan, the first martyr of the New Testament and patron saint whose name day occurs on 26 December. In a dialog between the Soul (Soprano) and Jesus (bass) the struggle with sin is recounted respectively in two expressive arias arias. The entire orchestra is involved in the first movement as well as in in the closing chorale together with the choir. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3105700.

SKU: CA.3111811

ISBN 9790007207144. Key: B flat major. Language: German/English. Text: Behm, Martin. Text: Martin Behm.

Two versions survive: 1st version composed 1736/37, 2nd version in the first half of the 1740s. The versions differ only in instrumentation, and both are integrated in this edition. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3111800.

SKU: CA.3108907

ISBN 9790007046194. Key: C minor / g minor. Language: German/English.

Score available separately - see item CA.3108900.

SKU: CA.3106969

ISBN 9790007206734. Language: German/English.

Bach's Cantata BWV 69a of 1723, which has remained largely unknown to the present day, is now available for the first time in a practical edition with this Carus publication. It has been unjustly neglected as it was overshadowed by the Cantata BWV 69 of the same name, a piece which Bach reworked to celebrate the inauguration of Leipzig Town Council in 1748. On that occasion Bach re-used the parts from 1723 for simplicity, and adapted them for the new use by means of cuts, alterations, and additions - something which certainly did not mean that he rejected the 1723 version. This version can readily be recovered from the parts of 1723, if we explore beyond the alterations of 1748. With its rich wind instruments and great opening chorus, the 1723 cantata is in no way inferior to the later festive music in terms of musical splendor. The text takes the Gospel reading about the healing of the deaf and dumb man as a reason for praise and thanks for God's good deeds. In contrast to the later version, in which God is thanked for the wisdom of the Leipzig authorities, the original version of 1723 is free of such contemporary references, and is suitable for use in worship and concerts in many different ways. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3106900.

SKU: CA.3106959

ISBN 9790007206680. Language: German/English.

Bach's Cantata BWV 69a of 1723, which has remained largely unknown to the present day, is now available for the first time in a practical edition with this Carus publication. It has been unjustly neglected as it was overshadowed by the Cantata BWV 69 of the same name, a piece which Bach reworked to celebrate the inauguration of Leipzig Town Council in 1748. On that occasion Bach re-used the parts from 1723 for simplicity, and adapted them for the new use by means of cuts, alterations, and additions - something which certainly did not mean that he rejected the 1723 version. This version can readily be recovered from the parts of 1723, if we explore beyond the alterations of 1748. With its rich wind instruments and great opening chorus, the 1723 cantata is in no way inferior to the later festive music in terms of musical splendor. The text takes the Gospel reading about the healing of the deaf and dumb man as a reason for praise and thanks for God's good deeds. In contrast to the later version, in which God is thanked for the wisdom of the Leipzig authorities, the original version of 1723 is free of such contemporary references, and is suitable for use in worship and concerts in many different ways. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3106900.

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.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.3105049

ISBN 9790007206246. Key: D major. Language: German/English.

Composed in the late period, around 1740 A lively discussion about the choral movement Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft has been carried on, in which not only all previous assumptions have been called into question - including Bach's authorship - but also show how little we know about the history of this magnificent movement. Even though there is little to refute the 1982 presumption that the work was handed down in the form of an arrangement, the question remains open concerning the identity of the arranger, as well as the alleged form of the original design. Therefore it seemed appropriate to forego any attempts at reconstruct-ion. Rather, for the present new edition the music has been critically examined and commented upon based on the surviving copy from Bach's circle. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3105000.

SKU: CA.3105062

ISBN 9790007206277. Key: D major. Language: German/English.

Composed in the late period, around 1740 A lively discussion about the choral movement Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft has been carried on, in which not only all previous assumptions have been called into question-including Bach's authorship-but also show how little we know about the history of this magnificent movement. Even though there is little to refute the 1982 presumption that the work was handed down in the form of an arrangement, the question remains open concerning the identity of the arranger, as well as the alleged form of the original design. Therefore it seemed appropriate to forego any attempts at reconstruction. Rather, for the present new edition the music has been critically examined and commented upon based on the surviving copy from Bach's circle.

Score available separately - see item CA.3105050.

SKU: CA.3105061

ISBN 9790007206260. Key: D major. Language: German/English.

Composed in the late period, around 1740 A lively discussion about the choral movement Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft has been carried on, in which not only all previous assumptions have been called into question-including Bach's authorship-but also show how little we know about the history of this magnificent movement. Even though there is little to refute the 1982 presumption that the work was handed down in the form of an arrangement, the question remains open concerning the identity of the arranger, as well as the alleged form of the original design. Therefore it seemed appropriate to forego any attempts at reconstruction. Rather, for the present new edition the music has been critically examined and commented upon based on the surviving copy from Bach's circle.

Score available separately - see item CA.3105050.

SKU: CA.3105063

ISBN 9790007206284. Key: D major. Language: German/English.

Composed in the late period, around 1740 A lively discussion about the choral movement Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft has been carried on, in which not only all previous assumptions have been called into question-including Bach's authorship-but also show how little we know about the history of this magnificent movement. Even though there is little to refute the 1982 presumption that the work was handed down in the form of an arrangement, the question remains open concerning the identity of the arranger, as well as the alleged form of the original design. Therefore it seemed appropriate to forego any attempts at reconstruction. Rather, for the present new edition the music has been critically examined and commented upon based on the surviving copy from Bach's circle.

Score available separately - see item CA.3105050.

SKU: CA.3105249

ISBN 9790007206369. 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 part available separately - see item CA.3105200.