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Index to Scores of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works
Reduced Instrumention |
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IBC Editorial Philosophy |
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The approach to editing the cantatas of J.S. Bach originated in a single statement made around 1980 by Dr. Gerre Hancock (1934-2012) during an improvisation lesson. We were discussing the accompaniment of Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, the opening chorus of Cantata BWV 68. Almost off-handedly, Dr. Hancock said "You should take a more comprehensive look at the accompaniment of Bach's cantata choruses. You'd be surprised how often the essence of the orchestra can be successfully reduced to three voices or fewer."
This began what has become a decades-long exploration of these works, and of discerning where the kind of treatment Dr. Hancock discussed could be successfully employed. It turns out he was right! A signfiicant number of choruses, arias, and duets in J.S. Bach's church cantatas can be effectively accompanied by employing a solo stop with continuo-like accompaniment, by a trio sonata texture, or by a single-manual reduction.
Of course, it is one thing to solve such a puzzle on paper, and another altogether to present the works in performance such that a listener isn't aware anything has been left out. In the 1990's, Gary Harney directed an ensemble in Huntsville, Alabama known as "The Bach Consort," which presented many J.S. Bach's cantatas in this manner at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Huntsville.
The Immanuel Bach Consort (IBC) is a continuation of this endeavor, now in historic Old New Castle, Delaware. For some IBC performances, the cantatas have been reduced so that the quartet of soloists is accompanied by organ alone. Where this is the case, Gary Harney has made every effort to create idiomatic organ parts that can be played by capable church organists. This has, on occasion, required additional reduction, especially in creating effective and playable pedal parts. For some cantatas, IBC has used one or two instrumentalists (e.g., Baroque oboe and violin) and continuo. These scores presume fine instrumentalists plus harpsichord or chamber organ.
All the J.S. Bach's scores carry a dedication to Dr. Gerre Hancock, the inspiration for this experiment. The process of preparing scores for public dissemination is just beginning. As we verify in performance that a given chorus, aria, duet, or complete cantata works when performed from this edition, the scores will be added to this page for download. Keep checking back from time to time to see what is new!
Gary Harney, 2013 |
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BWV |
Mvt. > Details |
Title > Score |
Instrumentaion |
Time |
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4 |
Complete Cantata |
Christ lag in Todes Banden | Violin Part |
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, Chorus, Violin, and Harpsichord (Verse 7 sung to the music of Verse 1) |
22:00 |
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10 |
Complete Cantata |
Meine Seel erhebt den Herren | Oboe part | Violin part |
SATB, Chorus, Oboe, Violin, and Keyboard |
18:30 |
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21 |
Mvt. 9: Chorus w/ Chorale |
Sei nun wieder zufrieden |
SATB chorus & organ |
4:30 |
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28 |
Mvt. 2: Chorus (Chorale) |
Nun lob, mein Seel |
SATB chorus (motet style) and keyboard |
3:30 |
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29 |
Mvt. 2: Chorus |
Wir danken dir, Gott (original key) | Wir danken dir, Gott (down a step) |
SATB chorus & organ |
2:30 |
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38 |
Mvt. 1: Chorus (Chorale) |
Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir |
SATB chorus (motet style) and keyboard |
4:00 |
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61 |
Complete Cantata |
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland |
Soprano, Tenor, Bass, Chorus, Violin, and Organ |
16:00 |
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67 |
Mvt. 1: Chorus |
Halt im gedächtnis Jesum Christ (original key) | Halt im gedächtnis Jesum Christ (down a step) |
SATB chorus & organ |
3:15 |
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68 |
Complete Cantata |
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt |
Soprano, Bass, Chorus, and Organ |
15:00 |
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68 |
Mvt. 1: Chorus (Chorale) |
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt |
SATB chorus & organ |
5:00 |
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68 |
Mvt. 2: Aria [S] |
Mein gläubiges Herze |
Soprano aria with organ |
2:15 |
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68 |
Mvt. 5: Chorus |
Wer an ihn gläubet |
SATB chorus & organ |
3:30 |
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75 |
Mvt. 10: Aria [A] |
Jesus macht mich geistlich reich |
Alto aria with organ or harpsichord |
2:30 |
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79 |
Mvt. 3: Chorale |
Nun danket alle Gott (original key) | Nun danket alle Gott (down a step) |
SATB chorus & organ |
2:00 |
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82 |
Complete Cantata |
Ich habe genung! | Violin Part |
Bass, Violin & Harpsichord |
23:00 |
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84 |
Complete Cantata |
Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke |
Soprano and Harpsichord (SATB for chorale only) |
13:30 |
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104 |
Mvt. 1: Chorus |
Du Hirte Israel, höre |
SATB chorus & organ |
4:30 |
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104 |
Mvt. 5: Aria [B] |
Beglückte Herde, Jesu Schafe |
Bass aria with organ |
7:30 |
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106 |
Mvt. 4: Chorus (Chorale) |
Glorie, Lob, Ehr, und Herrlichkeit |
SATB chorus & organ |
3:00 |
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107 |
Mvt. 1: Chorus |
Was willst du dich betrüben |
SATB chorus & organ |
4:00 |
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107 |
Mvt. 7: Chorus (Chorale) |
Herr gib, daß ich dein Ehre |
SATB chorus & organ |
2:30 |
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122 |
Mvt. 1: Chorus |
Das neuegeborne Kindelein |
SATB chorus & organ (Moderately easy) |
3:15 |
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129 |
Mvt. 2: Aria [B] |
Gelobet sei der Herr |
Bass aria with organ or harpsichord |
3:45 |
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144 |
Complete Cantata |
Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin |
Harpsichord |
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147 |
Mvt. 10: Chorale |
Jesus bleibet meine Freude |
SATB chorus & organ |
3:00 |
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161 |
Mvt.6: Chorale |
Der Leib zwar in der Erden (Passion Chorale) [German] |
SATB chorus and organ - Ornamented chorale |
2:00 |
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161 |
Mvt.6: Chorale |
In this thy bitter Passion [English] |
SATB chorus and organ - Ornamented chorale |
2:00 |
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182 |
Complete Cantata |
Himmelskönig, sei willkommen | Flauto dolce part | Violin part |
ATB, Chorus, Flauto dolce, Violin, & Keyboard |
27:30 |
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167 |
Mvt. 5: Chorus (Chorale) |
Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren |
SATB chorus & organ |
2:30 |
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179 |
Mvt. 1: Chorus |
Siehe zu, daß deine Gottesfurcht |
SATB chorus & organ |
2:15 |
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180 |
Complete Cantata |
Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele | Violin Part | Flute Part |
Violin, flute, & continuo |
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Prepared by Gary Harney (December 2014 - October 2016)
Source: Immanuel Bach Consort |
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Warning : © Gary Harney, 2014
The Score Editions listed in this page may be freely distributed, duplicated, performed, or recorded, provided that the author name and the source would be mentioned. |
