Magnificat
arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach, contains BWV 1082 1716 / 1740–42
Contemporary accounts and the surviving remnants of his music library confirm the value that Johann Sebastian Bach placed on good compositions by other masters. Yet the performance copies he prepared also show that Bach regularly made creative changes to the scores. Often, pieces simply had to be adapted to the specific local conditions – standard practice at the time.
Bach’s interest in the work of his contemporary Antonio Caldara is well known, and here too he didn’t hesitate to get to work with his quill. This new Carus edition of Caldara’s splendid Magnificat combines both versions in a single volume for the first time: the original by the Viennese court composer and Bach’s version, including his arrangement of the movement “Suscepit Israel,” cataloged as BWV 1082.
Written as part of Caldara’s official duties in Vienna, the Magnificat captivates with grand, festive orchestration. In four beautifully structured movements, Caldara displays his compositional mastery in both the modern concertante style and the traditional stile antico. Around 1740/42, Bach made his own copy of the Magnificat. His most significant intervention occurs in the “Suscepit Israel,” where he added two obbligato violin parts and enriched the contrapuntal texture with masterfully woven suspensions.
This modern Urtext edition by Wolfgang Hochstein brings both versions to life for today’s performers. Through the use of clear diacritical markings, the variances in the musical text are clearly visible, giving a fascinating insight into Bach’s working methods.
| Caldara | Bach |
| 4 Tr, Ctto, 2 Trb, Fg, Timp, 2 Vl, Bc | 4 Tr, Timp, 2 Vl, Va (Trb), Bc |
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Composer
Antonio Caldara
| 1670-1736Antonio Caldara was born in Venice in 1670 and, during his lifetime, worked as a cellist, conductor and composer. Caldara is thought to have received his training in his home town under Giovanni Legrenzi, the Kapellmeister at St Mark’s. Caldara worked as a freelance cellist in Venice (1693–1700), as a Kapellmeister in Mantua (1700–1707) and Rome (1709–1716), and finally as Vice-Kapellmeister at the imperial court in Vienna (1716–1736) under Emperor Charles VI.
His popularity stemmed from his ability to combine a respect for tradition with the greatest possible originality. He composed over 3,400 works, including more than 80 operas, 43 oratorios, around 150 symphonies, masses, serenades, cantatas and motets, madrigals and serenades, as well as over 300 canons.
Personal details
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Editor
Wolfgang Hochstein
| 1950
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Continuo realization
Wolfgang Hochstein
| 1950
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Arranger
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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