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The Magnificat in D major, BWV 243, is a setting of the Magnificat text by Johann Sebastian Bach for five soloists (SSATB), a five-part choir (also SSATB), and orchestra. BWV 243 is a reworking of an E-flat major setting of the Magnificat Bach had composed in 1723 (BWV 243a). Parts for flute and trumpet were added, which also explains the key change: E-flat major, as opposed to D major, would have been impossible for the trumpets that were available for performance at the time.

Bach had the D major version of his Magnificat performed at the feast of Visitation (2 July) in 1733. It was this final version of Bach's Magnificat that became a standard for perfomance.

History

Bach had composed the E-flat major version of the Magnificat in 1723, his first year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, for the Marian feast of Visitation, which was celebrated on 2 July in Bach's time. Later that year he used that E-flat major version again for the Christmas Vespers, with additional interpolated texts related to Christmas.

Around 1730 Bach reworked this Magnificat to a version in D major without the Christmas additions. This final version had its premiere at the Thomaskirche on Visitation 1733, which coincided with the fourth Sunday after Trinity Sunday that year.

Scoring and structure

The Magnificat is scored for five soloists, soprano I/II, alto, tenor, bass, a five-part choir, three trumpets, timpani, flauto traverso, two oboes (also oboe d'amore), two violins, viola, and basso continuo.

It is one of few works which Bach set for a five-part choir, along with the the motet Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227 and the Missa (Kyrie and Gloria), also of 1733, which he later expanded to form the Mass in B minor.

Movements

The work is divided into twelve movements. Its performance lasts approximately twenty-five to thirty minutes.

1. Chorus – "Magnificat"
2. Aria (soprano II) – "Et exsultavit spiritus meus"
3. Aria (soprano I) – "Quia respexit humilitatem"
4. Chorus – "Omnes generationes"
5. Aria (bass) – "Quia fecit mihi magna"
6. Aria (alto, tenor) – "Et misericordia"
7. Chorus – "Fecit potentiam"
8. Aria (tenor) – "Deposuit potentes"
9. Aria (alto) – "Esurientes implevit bonis"
10. Aria (soprano I/II, alto) – "Suscepit Israel"
11. Chorus – "Sicut locutus est"
12. Chorus – "Gloria Patri"

Selected recordings

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (September 2014)

• Brilliant Classics 99376/6: Lynda Russell, Gillian Fisher, Alison Browner, Caroline Trevor, Ian Partridge, Michael George, The Sixteen Choir & Orchestra, Harry Christophers

References

1. ^ Jones 2013
2. Schweitzer 1911 (volume 2), p. 166

Sources

• Jones, Richard D. P. (2013). The Creative Development of Johann Sebastian Bach, Volume II: 1717-1750: Music to Delight the Spirit. Oxford University Press. pp. 131–136. ISBN 0-19-969628-4.
• Albert Schweitzer, translated by Ernest Newman. The Magnificat and the St. John Passion, Chapter XXVI of J. S. Bach, Volume 2 of 2. Breitkopf & Härtel, 1911. Reprint: Dover, 1966. ISBN 0486216322 - ISBN 9780486216324

External links

• Free scores by Magnificat in D major at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
• Magnificat in D major BWV 243 / Magnificat in E flat major BWV 243a from bach-cantatas.com
• Magnificat (MIDI) from impresario.ch, with practice files for choristers
• Keep it Short: J S Bach Magnificat, a 2011 Gresham College lecture by Christopher Hogwood
• Magnificat – Omnes generationes – number symbolism (YouTube video)

• Compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach
• 1733 compositions
• Magnificat settings
• Compositions in D major