Bach created a very special chorale cantata for the Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary (2 July 1724): Unusually, the work is not based on a Protestant hymn, but on a Gregorian chorale (9th psalm tone). The German-language Magnificat – the textual basis of the cantata – was sung to this melody at church services in Leipzig. As was customary in the chorale cantatas of the years 1724/25, the text of the Magnificat was paraphrased to fit the requirements of the musical form. The original biblical text is heard, however, in the opening chorus and the final chorale, as well as in the fifth movement (a duet), which can be viewed as the climax of the work: After the feisty bass continuo aria “Gewaltige stößt Gott vom Thron” (The mighty ones from off their seats), Luther’s original text “Er denket der Barmherzigkeit und hilft seinem Diener Israel auf” (The Lord hath holpen Israel) is heard as a ravishing duet of heavenly simplicity for alto and tenor, plainly accompanied by continuo. Between these voices, the trumpet (replaced by two oboes at a late revival) intones the chorale melody (which also features in one of the Schübler chorales, namely BWV 648).
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text (without music) for download, html file, Singing text, english translationhtml file, Singing text, english translation (Sample)1 Chor
Magnify the Lord, my soul,
my spirit joyous be,
God the Lord my Saviour is,
who hath looked upon o lowly maid,
his handmaiden.
Behold, from henceforth will all men call me blessed.2 Aria (Soprano)
Lord, mighty Lord, we thee acclaim,
God, ever holy is thy name,
how wonderful is thy creation!
Thou markest well my misery,
and thou hast done so much for me,
to thee I bow in adoration.3 Recitativo (Tenore)
Thy blessings, Lord, accrue
each morning fresh and new
and year by year they ever flow,
to them who here below,
from God turn not aside,... -
text (without music) for download, html file, Singing text, originalhtml file, Singing text, original (Sample)
1 Chor
Meine Seel erhebt den Herren,
und mein Geist freuet sich Gottes, meines Heilandes:
denn er hat seine elende Magd angesehen.
Siehe, von nun an werden mich selig preisen alle Kindeskind.2 Aria (Soprano)
Herr, der du stark und mächtig bist,
Gott dessen Namen heilig ist,
wie wunderbar sind deine Werke!
Du siehest mich Elenden an,
du hast an mir so viel getan,
dass ich nicht alles zähl und merke.3 Recitativo (Tenore)
Des Höchsten Güt und Treu
wird alle Morgen neu
und währet immer für und für
bei denen, die allhier
auf seine Hilfe schaun
und ihm in wahrer Furcht vertraun,
hingegen übt er auch Gewalt... -
text (without music) for download, html file, Introductory text, Englishhtml file, Introductory text, English (Sample)
Foreword of the Edition Carus 31.010/03
Christoph Großpietsch
Translation: John CollinsMarian festivals form a fixed part of worship services, even in the Protestant church year. In Leipzig during Bach’s time the Feasts of Purification (February 2nd), the Annunciation (March 25th) and the Visitation of Mary (July 2nd) were observed. Moreover the Magnificat, the homage of Mary according to Luke 1:39–56, was also performed during the Vespers of every high feast day, often with a large scoring. How highly such compositions were valued was shown by the fact that even in January 1723 Christoph Graupner chose a Magnificat when he applied for the important post of choirmaster at the Thomaskirche, and this with success. However, Graupner remained in Darmstadt. After the magnificent arrangement of the first version of the Latin Magnificat (Magnificat anima mea) BWV 243a – probably composed for the Vespers on the visitation of Mary 1723,– Bach’s German Magnificat Meine Seel erhebt den Herren was composed as a chorale cantata for the main service of the same feast day in the following year.
It can be inferred from the autograph title Festo Visitationis | Mariaethat the cantata was intended for July
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text (without music) for download, html file, Introductory text, Germanhtml file, Introductory text, German (Sample)
Vorwort der Ausgabe Carus 31.010/03
Christoph Großpietsch
Gottesdienste zu Marienfesten bildeten einen festen Bestandteil auch im evangelischen Kirchenjahr; in Leipzig wurden zur Zeit Bachs die Feste Mariae Reinigung (2. Februar), Mariae Verkündigung (25. März) und Mariae Heimsuchung (2. Juli) begangen. Außerdem wurde das Magnificat, der Lobgesang Mariens nach Lk 1,39–56, auch in den Vespern aller hohen Feiertage zu Gehör gebracht, oft in großer Besetzung. Wie hoch solche Kompositionen geschätzt wurden, zeigt sich auch daran, dass Bachs Konkurrent Christoph Graupner für die Bewerbung um das bedeutende Amt des Leipziger Thomaskantors noch im Januar 1723 ein Magnificat auswählte – mit Erfolg. Allerdings blieb Graupner dann in Darmstadt. Nach der prächtigen Ausgestaltung der ersten Fassung des lateinischen Magnificat (Magnificat anima mea) BWV 243a – komponiert wahrscheinlich für die Vesper an Mariae Heimsuchung 1723, – ist Bachs Deutsches Magnificat Meine Seel erhebt den Herren für den Hauptgottesdienst desselben Feiertages im darauf folgenden Jahr als Choralkantate entstanden.
Die Bestimmung für den 2. Juli, das Fest Mariae Heimsuchung, ist dem autographen Titel Festo Visitationis |
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Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach
| 1685-1750Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the most important composers of Western music history. He came from a widely ramified musical dynasty, which produced numerous musicians and organists in the Thuringian-Saxon area.
Bach vocal
Ever since Carus-Verlag was founded in 1972, publishing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach has been a special focus for us. In the 2017 Reformation anniversary year we completed the Bach vocal project. Bach's complete sacred vocal works are now available in modern Urtext editions, together with performance material. A complete edition of all the full scores is also available in a high quality box set. Personal details
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Editor
Christoph Großpietsch
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