Appropriately enough (given the present weather) Bach’s Magnificat was originally written to be performed on Christmas 1723 at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. At that time it was a semitone higher (in E-flat) and contained settings of Christmas texts in German interpolated between the Latin verses. Bach subsequently made it suitable for all year round performance by omitting the German text and also transposed it down into D major, in order, we are told, to brighten the trumpet sound. The work, as befits its mixture of ceremony and celebration, is scored for one of the largest ensembles ever seen in the Thomaskirche; three trumpets, two flutes, two oboes, timpani, strings, continuo (organ and/or cello, double bass and bassoon) and five part choir.
Monday 2 February 2009
Bach: Magnificat in D BWV 243
Appropriately enough (given the present weather) Bach’s Magnificat was originally written to be performed on Christmas 1723 at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. At that time it was a semitone higher (in E-flat) and contained settings of Christmas texts in German interpolated between the Latin verses. Bach subsequently made it suitable for all year round performance by omitting the German text and also transposed it down into D major, in order, we are told, to brighten the trumpet sound. The work, as befits its mixture of ceremony and celebration, is scored for one of the largest ensembles ever seen in the Thomaskirche; three trumpets, two flutes, two oboes, timpani, strings, continuo (organ and/or cello, double bass and bassoon) and five part choir.
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