C. P. E. Bach’s nine-movement Magnificat (1749), the first great vocal work from his Berlin years, is among the most magnificent sounding, in which the solo vocal parts are also among the most ambitious settings of the “Hymn to the Virgin Mary” (Luke 1). The work fulfills all the criteria required for a larger sacred composition: grandeur, dignity, polyphonic and concertante choral movements, sensitive (“empfindsam”) and expressive arias, a long concluding double fugue. This richly scored Magnificat (with 3 trumpets and timp. ad. lib.), which is almost one hour in duration, would be well suited, for example, as the central work on every Christmas or pre-Christmas concert programme.
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Composer
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
| 1714-1788Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788) was an extremely prolific composer who enjoyed a high reputation during his lifetime with the result that his music became known far and wide. The early works were influenced by the Berlin School. In his later works, however, this composer developed a thoroughly individual style, independent of contemporary fashions, which is to be found especially in the sacred vocal works written during his years as Director of Music in Hamburg (1768–1788). Personal details