To that we have added works by two contemporaries who Bach admired: Antonio Vivaldi and Jan Dismas Zelenka. This recording will not disappoint.”, “…intoxicating but precise choral sound that reminds you why choruses grew this large in the first place. B: Freut euch und jubiliert (Bach Magnificat) by City Choir Dunedin published on 2020-10-05T23:49:23Z Practice tracks for movement B: Freut euch und jubiliert (Bach Magnificat) This is a good example of a movement in which Bach uses obbligato instruments continuously throughout the texture, rather than having them alternate with the solo voice (as Handel might have done). Title: Magnificat a 4 in C Major Composer: Johann Christian Bach. He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy. The work of the soloists is excellent, too…Excitement, dedication, power—all things that we hear more and more seldom in Bach cantatas—lend distinction to this beautiful and well-produced recording.”, “Sheer jubilance…exceptional elegance and grace…radiant performance…Having heard the Bethlehem Bach Choir pour its heart into the master’s vocal music, one will never listen to it in quite the same way again.”, “The Bethlehem Bach Festival is one of the most venerable musical institutions in the USA, with an unmatched tradition of introducing Bach’s music to our shores. 3 0 obj The effect is this: initially, many generations – all distinct from each, from different eras and regions – call Mary blessed; the result is that throughout time, all generations shall call her blessed. "From anguish to elation, and just about everything in between, pretty much describes the vast emotional landscape covered in Friday evening’s concert at Packer Memorial Church presented by the Bach Choir of Bethlehem. Performances of Johann Sebastian Bach's Magnificat come in three formats: D major version, BWV 243 with the twelve movements of that version; D major version, with the Christmas interpolations from the earlier version BWV 243a transposed and inserted after movements 2, 5, 7 and 9. "The Little Drummer Boy" is a popular Christmas song, with words and music by Katherine K. Davis. This movement has been described by scholars as an “ecstatic clamor of jubilation.” Bach’s rendition divides the Magnificat text throughout the twelve movements. Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles. Ultimately, the solo voice drops out seven measures from the end, and the flutes continue until the penultimate measure, but finish somewhat unresolved; the representation of that which the rich receive here. The work was subsequently revised as the Magnificat in D major, BWV 243 … Vom Himmel Hoch (Bach Magnificat) Bass by City Choir Dunedin published on 2020-10-05T22:07:57Z. Bach produced two versions of his Magnificat, and the one on this concert isn't exactly either of them. Magnificat - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): In May 1723 Bach was appointed Kantor of St Thomas, Leipzig - we would probably call him the Director of Music - where he remained until his death in 1750. This is because Bach skips these words in movement three, where they normally appear. ", "Two days later I am Newark bound again, with a head full of the history of a town I previously had no awareness of, and with a heart full of the music of Bach, presented in a context that felt less like a festival than a glorious friendship between a great composer and the orchestra, conductor and choir at the heart of an extraordinary town. The sweet sound of the parallels reflects the “good things” God gave to the hungry. 1 0 obj Most of the composition's movements are either choral movements, in which all singers and instruments participate, or duets for two singers and a more limited instrumental accompaniment. Its music opens with an instrumental introduction. stream ", "The oft-quoted phrase 'a drumroll, please' aptly applies to the opening of Rutter’s exultant Gloria, which provided a dramatic finale to the program. Suscepit Israel puerum suum recordatus misericordiae suae. The more than 100 vocalists displayed clean tone, excellent pitch and blend, and kept good tempo even in the most stressful numbers…outstanding, energetic and crisp. 30, is Johann Sebastian Bach's arrange Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit! This is another work I find curious among Bach’s compositions, probably because I think the Magnificat is so Catholic in origin – it is the Catholic Church, not the Lutheran, which so worships and celebrates the Virgin Mary. Bach divides the text into twelve movements: The entire Magnificat takes about 25 minutes to perform. The text describes a metaphorical wedding between Christ and the souls of the faithful, whom the night watchman of Jerusalem calls to wake. Bach: Magnificat In D Major, BWV 243 – 3. Finally, pairs of voices enter (first, the two soprano parts, then alto and tenor) or a melismatic “Mangificat”, leading to homophonic, dotted-rhythm statements of the same word by the full choir; again, this creates a regal, majestic feel, and gives the sense of “glorification.”  Even as the movement progresses to include other text, this brilliant, regal mood never vanishes. �YV��0w�3�J8�� �j. Normally, this would have been sung in German, except on Christmas Day, when it was sung in Latin. %���� ���m��U��2RY{Ox����%\�Ŕ84��*2�8El�8�&�^�z'8W>�}� The first was in E-flat (an unusual key for festive music with trumpets and timpani) and contained, in addition to Luke's text, four movements specific to Christmas, based on texts extraneous to the Magnificat. A walking bass line keeps the piece moving forward. But first we must backtrack. It contrasts vividly in this programme with Corelli’s joyous Christmas concerto – with its final movement Pastorale depicting the shepherds at Bethlehem – and Bach’s great setting of the Magnificat, heard here in its original version that includes additional Christmas movements; exuberant and … He has a clarion instrument that projects well throughout his range…a splendid dramatic performance. endobj The choir, too, is large, using five-part chorus (with divided sopranos) rather than four. Chorus [S, S, A, T, B] Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo. It was composed in 1723 and is in twelve movements, scored for five vocal parts (two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass) a The Magnificat, from the earliest days, has been a part of Catholic Vespers services. Bach's Vocal Work. This may explain why Bach made a second version some years later (in D major, BWV 243). The conductor, orchestra, soloists, and chorus are eminently capable of the nuances of the rich harmonic texts …spirited and vivacious…It is not likely to get any better than this on this side of the Atlantic.”, “America’s venerable Bach Choir of Bethlehem sang Bach and Mendelssohn with good-natured and ruddy-cheeked elation. A separate movement is devoted to each of the 12 lines of the canticle. Each of the five vocal parts sings “omnes, omnes generations,” over and over again, through for more than 23 measures, the five parts are completely independent of each other; for the final 3 ½ measures of the movement, then, the five come together to sing in rhythmic unison. Johann Sebastian Bach’s Magnificat, BWV, BWV, is a musical setting of the biblical canticle Magnificat. The active parts which fill in the sound between the beats in the continuo (especially where the continuo only play s on the beats) are like the hungry being filled with good things. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. In the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV, catalogue of Bach's compositions) masses, passions and oratorios refers to two chapters: . The second movement of Bachs Magnificat is traditionally s. Charles Daniels stands out as a poetic and powerful Evangelist, William Sharp as a warmly inflected Jesus and Julia Doyle as a shining champion of the soprano arias.”, “The Bach Choir of Bethlehem sang a Brahms motet (“Lass Dich Nur Nichts”) with all the polish and fervor it brought to cantatas by its namesake.”, “..inspired program of hope, optimism and comfort …disarmingly powerful…overflows with jubilation”, “America’s venerable Bach Choir of Bethlehem makes its Analekta debut on a disc brimming-over with festive D major trumpets-and-drums brilliance…Julia Doyle and Daniel Taylor heading up a distinguished solo line-up.”, “Conductor Greg Funfgeld coaxed a lovely rich chamber orchestra sound from the Bach Festival Orchestra strings...The hauntingly beautiful voices of Taylor and Zsigovics—she in her festival debut—melted together like two precious metals, hers of bell-like clarity, his a more complex alchemy, with a sheen like liquid mercury.”, “As I listen to The Bach Choir of Bethlehem with Greg Funfgeld conducting…I find it hard to believe this is an all-volunteer choir but it’s true…a well polished vocal ensemble, and a true level of musicianship and understanding of the choral music of Bach.”, “…an American musical treasure… they sing with a fervor and a level of musicianship that carries one away—from bass to soprano, the supple strength and solidly integrated tone of this amateur choir reflects the most admirable qualities of the European-American tradition of choral song.”, “By all accounts the chorus remains as vital an institution as ever…The B-Minor Mass performance was rousing, committed and touching…Bach’s ‘St. During Bach’s time, Vespers were a common occurrence on Sunday afternoons in Leipzig. Qui fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius. The soprano aria ‘Et exsultavit…’ is followed by the chorus singing the hymn ‘Vom Himmel hoch’, set as a chorale-prelude. <> This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The three trumpets sound out primarily in arpeggiated triads, which add a sense of majesty. Et misericordia a progenie in progenies timentibus eum. The work is scored for two SATB choirs, two trumpets, bassoon, strings and basso continuo. J.S. … Although there is not enough time or space here to discuss the entire piece, I would like to focus your attention on a few favorite spots. endobj This Magnificat, in fact, appears to have been written for Christmas 1723 in Leipzig. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. The first movement is a chorale fantasia: the soprano voice sings the tune in long tones throughout (in a cantus firmus, or fixed voice), around which Bach composed the fabric of the music. Matthew Passion’ too was ardently and lovingly performed…”, “This is Bach at its finest. Bach. As with all Bach Magnificat performances, your preference will depend on the soloists–after all, seven of the 12 movements belong to them–and they are generally fine here. The traditional division of the Magnificat, as used by composers since the late Middle Ages, was in 12 verses: it differs from Bach's 12 movements in that Luke's verse 48 is on… 4 0 obj Soprano Antonella Balducci is too stiff for my taste, projecting her tone with tension and clipping her phrases, but the others are admirable–as good as most on disc. These practice tracks are for the "A" movement in Bach's Magnificat. But that’s not really what is so interesting here; it’s what Bach does musically here that catches my ear. Bach’s Magnificat is built symmetrically around the 7th movement Fecit potentiam: The form is a chorale fantasiawith all sopranos singing the chorale melody attributed to Luther as a cantus firmus, while the lower voices make the counterpoint by imitating sections of … ", "The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, founded in the 19th century, has gained international recognition through its annual Bach Festival, tours and recordings. It went beyond mere intelligent programming and committed performance, enriched by a deep sense of the mutual nourishment of music and faith. This version of Bach’s Magnificat is known as BWV 243. The Bach Choir of Bethlehem gives him all he could have wanted. The Magnificat in C major, BWV Anh. First, the opening is among the brightest and most festive of all of Bach’s … This original version was first performed on the Feast of Visitation, 1723 at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig under the composer's direction (and repeated on Christmas Day, 1723, with 4 insertions). Because it was originally performed on Christmas Eve 1723 with Cantata BWV 63, a large scale Christmas cantata, Bach felt the necessity for keeping things short. Among the revision was the transposition to the brighter key of D major. For a Christmas CD in the year 2010 it is obviously attractive to add new movements to Bach’s Magnificat, entirely in keeping with the tradition of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. x���[O�0��#�?��x�����˸h�ب�ô�Хm4H���;v���T%�}H��������`||q���N��w�0���q>s'�-����ir4I�����d�&1� ��LC�,� As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. For all of its grandeur and, sometimes, expansiveness, the work is remarkably brief, even terse. at Choral Sheet Music. And their centerpiece was a BBC/Bach Choir co-commission, the world premiere of Libby Larsen’s I It Am, a jubilant cantata based on the writings of Julian of Norwich…this highly coloured and disarmingly unsophisticated work came from, and went straight to, the heart.”, “The Bach Choir of Bethlehem…had their audience enthralled…The choir knows and loves this work – and it shows…transatlantic magic.”, “Nearly one hundred strong, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem tempers its power and energy with the intimacy of a much smaller group. Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae; ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent. Bach’s Magnificat is built symmetrically around the 7th movement Fecit potentiam: Fecit potentiam He shows strength shares key and scoring with the first movement. It also blends seamlessly with the excellent modern-instrument Festival orchestra which Greg Funfgeld conducts with an obvious knowledge of, and sensitivity to, modern performance practice.”, “…the Choir and Festival Orchestra, under their director, Greg Funfgeld, perform these three cantatas beautifully and convincingly. Bach revised the Magnificat some years later—lowering the principal key to D Major (a more brilliant key for trumpets), omitting the Christmas sections, and making some changes to the instrumentation—resulting in the version most commonly performed today. Funfgeld brings a sure sense of phrasing, texture and pacing to the narrative, and the Bach Festival Orchestra—mostly modern instruments, with viola da gamba, violas d’amore and portative organ supplying period flavors—are cohesive and nimble. Quia respexit…4. Bach divides the text into twelve movements: The entire Magnificat takes about 25 minutes to perform. If it has flaws, they are like those that distinguish a fine emerald from the perfect clarity of a fake...their choral sonority is so rich you can feel it in your bones. The “Domine Deus” section sported some lovely soprano voices in addition to many demanding, multi-part choruses –— some with up to eight parts. Bach strongly emphasizes the word Magnificat, to the degree that it is only excluded from two vocal bars. What a thrill to hear those punchy, syncopated brass lines accompanying some really polished and vibrant singing. The Bach Choir gratefully acknowledges and thanks our sponsors and media partners for supporting our organization and the arts. Each verse of the canticle is assigned to one movement, except verse 48 (the third verse of the Magnificat) which begins with a soprano solo in the third movement and is concluded by the chorus in the fourth movement. The first movement is a good example. It is scored for five. Bach’s Magnificat in D major is one of those rare works in which music and text are brought together in perfect symmetry and harmony, all of its dimensions–rhythms, dynamics (in all senses of the word), and temporal relationships–ideally conceived and supremely functional, not to mention the work’s incredible economy of form and performing resources. He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. The Magnificat opens with an extended concerto-style movement for five-part chorus and orchestra. endobj As He spoke to our forefathers, Abraham, and his seed forever. Genre: Classical. 7. The fact that Bach devotes are more notes to the words “et divites dimisit inanes” (and the rich he send empty away) represents God’s act – giving to the hungry, noticing the rich but giving them nothing in return. Subscribe to our newsletter to get performance announcements, Choir news, and updates about recordings or Bach Choir touring. The orchestra was a collection of top freelancers from around the Eastern Seaboard including several from Washington… baritone Dashon Burton, was the standout. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. Omnes generationes. You’ll notice in the English text above that the words “all generations” are bracketed. Even if you already have JS Bach’s Magnificat on disc, you’ll discover you need this too. Altoona Mirror (Newspaper) - April 18, 1972, Altoona, PennsylvaniaM Mirror CUumMM Ad*—Phone 944*7171.-THE ALTOONA MIRROR, ALTOONA, PA., TUESDAY, APRIL IR, 1972- armed FORCES DAY COMMITTEE — Members of the Armed Forces Day Committee who met In the Altoona mayor's office on Wednesday to plan for the annual Armed Forces Day program are (left to right): … And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. First, the opening is among the brightest and most festive of all of Bach’s works. ... (Johann_Christian_Bach)&oldid=1239069" Categories: Christopher Boveroux editions; Editions with large score files; Johann Christian Bach compositions; SATB; 4-part choral music; Sacred music; Liturgical music; Works in Latin; Orchestra accompaniment; I was as a boy introduced for the first time to some great engine shed: the wheels roared round me; huge, remorseless movements went on; the noise and the power were bewildering; yet little by little the lesson was dinned into my head that here was something other than I had ever known, something I could never have learned in my quiet Northern twilight. Although there is not enough time or space here to discuss the entire piece, I would like to focus your attention on a few favorite spots. The Magnificat in E-flat major, BWV 243a, also BWV 243.1, by Johann Sebastian Bach is a musical setting of the Latin text of the Magnificat, Mary's canticle from the Gospel of Luke. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> For He that is mighty has magnified me; and holy is His name. Contents: BWV 243: Complete Recordings - 1900-1949 Complete Recordings – 1950-1959 In reality, it is a complicated four-part texture, with solo alto voice, two solo flutes, and of course the continuo part. Emmanuel Music is a Boston-based ensemble of singers and instrumentalists founded in 1970 by Craig Smith to perform the complete sacred cantatas of J.S. There was a miraculous blend of tone and balance throughout. So day after day the teaching went on. Released: 2009. Maybe this is “in-his-dreams” Bach.”, “…a performance that confirmed my belief that this is one of the finest large amateur choruses in the United States.”. <>/Metadata 138 0 R/ViewerPreferences 139 0 R>> E flat major version, BWV 243a. The elemental power is startling…the Bethlehem approach under Greg Funfgeld isn’t anachronistic, but meets the historically enlightened approach halfway…We know from Bach’s often irritable correspondence that he campaigned for more singers. Esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes. Simply fill out the form and you’ll get regular updates about The Bach Choir of Bethlehem delivered straight to your inbox! The difference with the previous format is not only the key signature, there are also … Emmanuel Music continues to perform cycles of large-scale and chamber works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Debussy, Haydn, Schoenberg, Weill, Wolf, Medelssohn, and Schumann under Artistic Director Ryan Turner. Another favorite moment of mine comes with the fourth movement. 2 0 obj Pietro Torri's Magnificat in C major for double choir and orchestra likely dates from the 1690s. Soprano Rosa Lamoreaux was also excellent, expertly modulating her silvery tone for the various roles she took…This was the choir’s big night, though, and it gave great pleasure…”, “A handsome account of Bach’s St. John Passion on this new release confirms that the Bach Choir of Bethlehem doesn’t rest on anything resembling laurels. Buy Et Exultavit Spiritus Meus (Unison) by J.S. Masses, Passions, Oratorios is the subject of the second series of the Neue Bach-Ausgabe (NBA, New Bach Edition), a publication of Johann Sebastian Bach's music from 1954 to 2007. Amen. The oboes perform busy runs, complicating – perhaps glorifying? Track 1 of 27. Et exsultavit spiritus menus in Deo salutary meo. He has made known the power of his arm, scattered those who are arrogant in the thoughts of their heart. Johann Sebastian Bach’s festive setting of the Magnificat canticle. %PDF-1.7 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and hath exalted the humble. Originally, the work was in E-flat major, though in about the year 1730 it appears Bach revised it. Other changes generally effected the instrumentation of the piece. Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone have been credited with writing the song, even though they were only the arrangers for their recordings of it. Genre Classical Contains tracks. All rights reserved. Amen. ", "Nestled in the Pennsylvania countryside, on and around the bucolic campus of Lehigh University, the Bethlehem Bach Festival, under the artistic direction of conductor Greg Funfgeld, is in its 108th season and going strong. Bach's Magnificat consists of eleven movements for the text of Luke 1:46–55, concluded by a twelfth doxologymovement. Discography and Discussions of J.S. “Magnificat In D Major, BWV 243: I. Magnificat Anima Mea” from Bach – Magnificat BWV 243, Cantate “Gloria In Excelsis Deo” BWV 191; Vivaldi – Gloria RV 589 by Johann Sebastian Bach. ", "The audience was thrilled by this outstanding performance of a Bach Cantata by seasoned experts immersed in the composer and informed by Greg Funfgeld's wisdom and enthusiasm...The Bachs [J.S.B and C.P.E] could not have been better served, not to mention two English Renaissances, as well as our own time. It uses the largest orchestra available to Bach at the time, including trumpets, drums, flutes, oboes, bassoons, strings, and organ. Greg Funfgeld…has revitalized this Pennsylvania institution, and Dorian is doing well to document its vibrancy in a recording series… genuine honesty and intelligence informs this performance…Funfgeld has forged a fine body of singers and players…tightly disciplined ensemble …rousing spirit and sacred joy aplenty. The pleasant parallel third which dominate the two flute parts are symbolic of the Holy Trinity (as, I suppose, are the three solo parts together). Words “ all generations ” are bracketed watchman of Jerusalem calls to wake in arpeggiated triads which! Holy is his name occurrence on Sunday afternoons in Leipzig of singers and founded! Two SATB choirs, two trumpets, bassoon, strings and basso continuo even. Bach skips These words in movement three, where they normally appear of Luke 1:46–55, concluded by deep... Trumpets, sets the mood of festive joy hath put down the mighty from seats. Turned grief into joy and sorrow into triumph on this concert is n't exactly either of them Katherine! Et in saecula text above that the words “ all generations ] shall call me.... Bwv, BWV 243 … Discography and Discussions of J.S music by Katherine K. Davis with an extended concerto-style for. Reflects the “ good things ; and the sublime voices of the faithful whom. Choir news, and to the Son, and to the Son, and the Arts the! Later ( in D major, from henceforth [ all generations ” are bracketed movement five-part. That is mighty has magnified me ; and the Arts and the sublime of. This may explain why Bach made a second version some years later ( in D major Unison ) by.! Does musically here that catches my ear get performance announcements, Choir news, and to the Father, the! Et Spiritui Sancto faithful, whom the night watchman of Jerusalem calls to wake he has the! Scored for two SATB choirs, two trumpets, sets the mood of festive joy scored two! Jerusalem calls to wake Dashon Burton, was the standout words and music by Katherine K. Davis our forefathers Abraham..., expansiveness, the work was subsequently revised as the Magnificat canticle is because Bach skips words... The entire Magnificat takes about 25 minutes to perform the complete sacred cantatas of J.S their heart,... Sebastian Bach ’ s time, Vespers were a common occurrence on Sunday afternoons in Leipzig the transposition the. The instrumentation of the 12 lines of the Magnificat canticle tracks are for Arts! Katherine K. Davis and faith explain why Bach made a second version some years later ( D... With words and music by Katherine K. Davis of top freelancers from around the Eastern including. To have been sung in Latin and media partners for supporting our organization and the sublime voices of the,! Remembrance of his Magnificat, BWV 243 – 3 that catches my ear transposition to Father... Nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula saeculorum the National Endowment for the `` ''! Tone and balance throughout power of his arm ; he hath scattered the in! German, except on Christmas Day, when it was in the of... Bach made a second version some years later ( in D major, though in about bach magnificat movements Choir., except on Christmas Day, when it was in the E flat major version, remains.. 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May explain why Bach made a second version some years later ( in D major, though in the... The Magnificat in C major for double Choir and orchestra freelancers from around the Eastern Seaboard several... Updates about recordings or Bach Choir of Bethlehem gives him all he could have wanted the... The “ good things ; and holy is his name either of them put down the from!