“Music owes as much to Bach as religion to its founder.” Robert Schumann
It is astounding how abundant and inexhaustible are his works. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is more than the epitome of baroque music, and one wonders how a single person could accomplish so much in one lifetime. Show others the brilliance of Bach through Stretta!
After a number of engagements as an organist, in which he often confused more than supported parishes with his improvisational skills and harmonic experiments, in 1708, J. S. Bach was appointed Court Organist & Chamber Musician by the Duke of Saxony-Weimar. It was during this period that he composed most of his organ music. In 1714 he was promoted to Concert Master of the Court Orchestra, and one of his duties was to compose weekly cantatas for the Sunday Service, laying the foundations for the 300 or more Bach Cantatas, of which around 200 remain. For his next position, as Kapellmeister to the Prince of Anhalt-Köthen from 1717, Bach’s role no longer required him to compose sacred music, so it was here that many of any his instrumental works were developed, including The Brandenburg Concertos.
With his last role as Cantor of St. Thomas in 1723, Bach held his first and only official position working for the city, the city of Leipzig. He was responsible for the music at the four main churches in Leipzig, and he taught at St. Thomas’ Boarding School. The St. Thomas’ Boys’ Choir is still one of the most important, and traditional boys’ choirs in the world today. In his final years, despite his steadily declining sight, Bach still created works that are the sum, and pinnacle of counterpoint, such as The Musical Sacrifice or the The Art of Fugue.
As was common in the 18th century, Bach’s works were quickly forgotten after his death. People were only concerned with new music. It was Bach’s sons, and his successors at St Thomas’, who preserved his memory. Composers of the First Viennese School, like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, especially admired Bach’s counterpoint, and learned a great deal from him. In the 19th century Bach Renaissance, the St. Matthew Passion was famously rediscovered, and performed in Berlin in 1829 by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. Another important milestone was the first complete edition of Bach’s works, which was created between 1850-1899. Today’s “New Bach Edition” was published between 1954-2007 by Bärenreiter and has become the authoritative Bach edition. The Original Manuscript of Bach’s B Minor Mass was declared a UNESCO World Document Heritage in 2015.
Johann Sebastian Bach came from a long line of musicians, whose family dated back centuries. Four of his sons continued this tradition, also becoming composers, ending up in London and Milan. With their works, they bridge the gap between baroque and classical music.
for: Soli SSATB, Gemischter Chor (SATB), Flöten (2), Oboen (2), Oboe d'amore (2), Oboe da caccia (2), Trompeten (3), Pauke, Hörner (2), Violinen (2), Viola, Basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1586535
for: Voice
Sheet music
Item no.: 1664898
for: SSAA , Keyboard [Organ or Piano]
Choir score
Item no.: 902169
for: Two-Part Treble Voices [SA], Keyboard [Organ or Piano]
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 1037783
for: SAB, Keyboard [Organ or Piano]
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 1038363
for: Choir
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 919376
for: 5 soloists (SSATB), mixed choir (SSATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Study score
Item no.: 256664
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 316885
for: Voice, violin, piano
Item no.: 143071
3rd Day of Christmas [St John's Day]
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 458325
for: Basso continuo, Orgel
Stimme, Urtextausgabe
Item no.: 133785
for: Voice, piano
Item no.: 105969
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Gesamtausgabe, Partitur, Urtextausgabe, Sammelband
Item no.: 876778
Piano reduction
Item no.: 285519
Illustrated book, CD
Item no.: 693612
for: Violine, Klavier und Orgel
Set of parts
Item no.: 295838
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ
Choir score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1582667
Book
Item no.: 444294
Coach Me - Tenor Solo
2 Playback-CDs (without sheet music)
Item no.: 1666555
for: Symphonic orchestra
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 1077093
from the Christmas Oratorio
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 681074
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ
Choir part Alto
Item no.: 298434
Choräle für Advent und Weihnachten
Bach für Celloquartett, Band 4
for: 4 cellos
4 Performance scores
Item no.: 776098
for: 3 soloists (ATB), mixed choir (SATB), narrator, orchestra
CD
Item no.: 472391
Kantate zum 3. Weihnachtsfesttag (Urfassung)
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ
Study score
Item no.: 484581
Cantata for the 2nd day of Pentecost
Urtext Stuttgarter Bach-Ausgaben
for: 2 soloists (SB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 233137
Urtext Stuttgarter Bach-Ausgaben
for: 5 soloists (SSATB), mixed choir (SSATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Choir score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 344546
Arie aus der Weihnachtskantate "Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe"
für Alt, zwei Flöten, Fagott (Violoncello) und Basso continuo
for: Voice (alto), chamber ensemble
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 681014
CD
Item no.: 482654
for: Choir
CD
Item no.: 935617
Meditation über das 1. Präludium von J. S. Bach
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 419642
for: Flexible wind ensemble (4 voices)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 194060
for: Flexible wind ensemble (5 voices)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 320591
for: 2 pianos
Music score
Item no.: 456950
for: Voice (alto), chamber ensemble
Score
Item no.: 234076
for: String orchestra
Score
Item no.: 656097
for: Choir (2 voices), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 803575
for: 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, organ
Score
Item no.: 664222
for: Melody instrument (C), piano
Score, Parts
Item no.: 697226
for: 2 soloists (ST), mixed choir (SSATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Choir score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 680139
for: 3 flutes (trio)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 311241
for: Mixed choir; basso continuo ad lib.
Score
Item no.: 277018
for: Brass ensemble (5 parts)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 597155
for: Clarinet, string orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 591311
Edition Schott
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 749473
Pièces célèbres
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 749902
(complete)
for: Symphonic orchestra
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 314165
Postcard
Item no.: 331582