Johann Sebastian Bach

Musical Offering

The music for a MUSICAL OFFERING was conceived as a result of the untimely death of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, though the work lay dormant for many years until Mr. Nelhybel heard the U.S. Air Force Band of Europe perform under the direction of Roger Sebby. The composer was so impressed with the band and director that he finished the work and dedicated it to Mr. Sebby. MUSICAL OFFERING is a setting of three harmonized chorales of J. S. Bach: Jesu Meine Freude (Jesus Priceless Treasure); O Sacred Head Now Wounded; Oh Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (Wie Schon Leuchtet Morgenstern). While most chorales arranged for band only emphasize slow, legato playing, this unique setting of these famous chorales offers the musicians many opportunities to perform in a variety of styles. The slow tempos throughout will emphasize listening to one another to achieve better intonation, and the many independent parts enable the musician to work on good blend and balance. The score and all parts also include educational supplements (EDU-PAKs) developed by Ken Mehalko and David Newell that further the musicians' understanding of this work, Bach and his style of harmonization, Nelhybel and his musical style, the Baroque Period and Protestant Reformation, and to make students aware of the difference between Sacred and Secular Music.