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Bach Magnificat Program Notes and Sheet Music

Program Notes: Johann Sebastian Bach – Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243

Welcome, dear concert-goer, to a vibrant explosion of joy, praise, and Baroque splendor from the incomparable Johann Sebastian Bach. Tonight, we have the profound pleasure of experiencing his magnificent Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243 – a work that, though concise, is packed with astonishing brilliance, dramatic contrasts, and infectious exuberance.

Bach: Voice of Faith and Feast

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) stands as one of the most towering figures in Western music, a composer whose genius transformed sacred music. As the Thomaskantor in Leipzig, his primary duty was to provide music for the weekly church services and various feast days. His larger-scale choral works, like the Magnificat, were often composed for the most important liturgical occasions, demanding grand forces and spectacular musical settings.

The text of the Magnificat is one of the most ancient and revered hymns in Christian liturgy. It is the Canticle of Mary, her joyful song of praise and thanksgiving upon learning she is to bear the Son of God, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55): "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." This text has inspired countless composers throughout history, but Bach's setting stands as one of the most thrilling.

A Tale of Two Magnificats and Festive Splendor:

Bach actually composed two versions of his Magnificat. The original, in E-flat Major (BWV 243a), was written for Christmas Vespers in Leipzig in 1723, his first

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