Johann Sebastian Bach
St. Matthew Passion BWV 244b
Early version
Johann Sebastian Bach
St. Matthew Passion BWV 244b
Early version
- Instrumentation Mixed Choir (SATB) and Piano
- Composer Johann Sebastian Bach
- Editor Martin Focke
- Series Bärenreiter Urtext
- Editor Andreas Glöckner
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Difficulty Level
- Edition Piano reduction Download (Urtext)
- Publisher Bärenreiter Verlag
- Order no. BA5099-90-DL
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Description:
Johann Sebastian Bach's "St. Matthew Passion", as we know it today, apparently has a longer history dating back to before 1727. It is unclear whether the Passion performed in the 1729 Good Friday service in St. Thomas Church goes back to an existing version. In any case, the surviving early version from 1729 has a strikingly different form compared to the later version. For example, the first part of the Passion ends with the chorale "Jesum lass ich nicht von mir", which was replaced by the large-scale chorale "O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß" for the 1736 performance. The well-known alto aria "Ach! nun ist mein Jesus hin" is still assigned to the bass in the earlier version and a lute is prescribed in the aria "Komm süßes Kreuz" instead of a viola da gamba, as was the case later. Furthermore, only one continuo group is required in the double-choir movements. There are further differences in the instrumental scoring and voice leading. The early version of the "St. Matthew Passion" is therefore a highly interesting addition to the large concert repertoire. The corresponding volume II/5b from the "New Bach Edition", which can be used as a conductor's score, was published in 2004.