“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.
(Urtext)
for: Flute, violin, basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 605947
nach BWV 847, 848, 851, 852, 853, 854 856, 858
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier Teil I in einer Übertragung für Streicher: Heft 3
for: Violin, viola, cello (string trio)
Set of parts
Item no.: 656299
Lautenwerk Im Urtext Bd 2
for: Guitar
Item no.: 216074
Great Performers's Edition
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 318076
for: Piano
Item no.: 409171
Edition Classique Durand
for: Flute, violin, piano
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 583176
Easy Classical Guitar
for: Guitar
Music score, CD
Item no.: 617273
Piano Solo
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 316861
for: Piano
Music score, online playback
Item no.: 144278
Motette
for: Basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 341758
for: Clarinet, bass clarinet
Ensemble score
Item no.: 977131
für Oboe (Orgel) und Streichorchester
Partitur
for: ORCHESTERWERKE STREICHORCHESTER SOLO-OBOE
Score
Item no.: 296337
Kantate zum 15. Sonntag nach Trinitatis
for: Voice (soprano), trumpet, organ
Score, Parts
Item no.: 279192
BWV851
for: 2 guitars
Score, part
Item no.: 1199618
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1559399
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 163104
Centennial Edition
for: Piano / Harpsichord
Book
Item no.: 318854
Hochzeitskantate
for: Voice (soprano), orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 337040
for: Double bass
Music score
Item no.: 991398
for: Piano
Item no.: 101344
für Streichquartett (Streichorchester) Partitur
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet) [string orchestra]
Score
Item no.: 105894
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 174241
24 Präludien und Fugen BWV 870-893
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 379246
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score
Item no.: 383088
for: Oboe, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 630028
Sieben Concerti nach Vivaldi und anderen
for: Piano
Spielpartitur, Sammelband
Item no.: 289311
Dt./Engl.
Piano reduction
Item no.: 285594
Übertragung für Viola solo
for: Viola
Music score
Item no.: 228730
Arranged by Mr. & Mrs. Cello
for: 2 cellos
Score, set of parts, online audio
Item no.: 778243
16 bekannte Originalstücke von leicht bis mittelschwer
mit praktischen Erläuterungen
for: Piano
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 636556
for: Accordion
Score
Item no.: 258147
Piano reduction
Item no.: 285530
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 182582
Classiques Du Saxophone
for: Alto saxophone, piano
Book
Item no.: 240228
bearbeitet für Violoncello
delights for strings
for: Cello
Music score
Item no.: 636024
Die Arien aus den Kantaten und
der Johannespassion
for: STREICH- UND ZUPFINSTRUMENTE VIOLA VIOLA SOLO
Item no.: 180983
for: Solo voices, mixed choir (SSAATTBB), orchestra
Piano reduction (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 379053
Organ Solo
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 395240
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 101264
for: Harp
Item no.: 246250
(nach der Sonate für Traversflöte BWV 1035 in E-Dur)
DOWANI 3 Tempi Play Along
for: Treble recorder, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part, online audio (playback)
Item no.: 433930
nach dem Oboenkonzert von Alessandro Marcello
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 759753
Simrock Original Edition
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 357529
Piano reduction
Item no.: 285475
for: Flute
Instrumental Solo
Item no.: 1051276
for: Mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1012114
Bearbeitung für Klavier zu 4 Händen
for: Piano 4 hands
Item no.: 360659
for: Piano [harpsichord]
Music score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1556857