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Bach St. Matthew Passion BWV 244b (Early Version)
Bach St. Matthew Passion BWV 244b (Early Version)
Bach St. Matthew Passion BWV 244b (Early Version)

BARENREITER - 345062

Bach St. Matthew Passion BWV 244b (Early Version)

Johann Sebastian Bach

Sale price$34.95
SKU: BA05099-90
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Bach St. Matthew Passion BWV 244b (Early Version)

Juilliard Store

Pickup available, usually ready in 4 hours

144 West 66th Street
New York NY 10023
United States

+12127995000

Editor: Glöckner, Andreas

Arranger: Focke, Martin

Orchestral scoring : Mixed choir-SATB/Org/Orch

Language(s) of work: D/GB

Product format: vocal score, Urtext edition

Binding: Paperback

Pages / Format: XI, 274 - 27,0 x 19,0 cm

Bach’s St. Matthew Passion as we know it today evidently had a long history dating back before 1727. It is unclear whether the work performed at the Thomaskirche on Good Friday 1729 was based on a still earlier version. Whatever the case, the surviving version of 1729 presents the work in a form strikingly different from its later incarnation. For example, the opening section ends with the chorale “ Jesum lass ich nicht von mir ” which was replaced by the large-scale cantus firmus chorus “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 a bass in the earlier version, and the aria “ Komm süsses Kreuz ” calls for a lute instead of the later viola da gamba . Moreover, the pieces for double chorus only require a single continuo group. Other differences can be found in the instrumental scoring and voice-leading. The early version of the St. Matthew Passion is thus a most interesting addition to the great concert repertoire.

The corresponding volume of the “New Bach Edition” (series II/volume 5b) serves as a conducting score.


- Attractive alternative to the well-known St. Matthew Passion
- Urtext from the “New Bach Edition”
- Straightforward and easy-to-play piano reduction
- Unique to the market