How beauteous is the morning star Feast of the Annunciation by Johann Sebastian Bach STB - Sheet Music

STB vocal soli, SATB choir, 2 horns, 2 oboe d'caccia, 2 violin solo, 2 violins, viola, basso continuo (Soli STB, Coro SATB, 2 Obca, 2 Cor, 2 Vl solo, 2 Vl, Va, Bc) - Grade 3

SKU: CA.3100105

Feast of the Annunciation. Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Edited by Reinhold Kubik. Arranged by Paul Horn. German title: Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern. Sacred vocal music, Cantatas, Epiphany. Choral score. Composed 1725. BWV 1. Duration 25 minutes. Carus Verlag #CV 31.001/05. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.3100105).

ISBN 9790007041205. 8.27 x 11.69 inches. Key: F major. Language: German/English. Text: Philipp Nicolai.

The cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How beauteous is the morning star), BWV 1, is a particularly significant composition: its completion on 25 March 1725 brought to an abrupt halt – after about nine months of work and for reasons still unknown – Bach’s ambitious aim of creating a year-cycle of chorale cantatas. Moreover, this was also the first volume, published in 1851, of the first complete edition of Bach’s works. The cantata, which is based on a well-known hymn, begins with a concertante movement featuring two solo violins in addition to horns, oboes da caccia and strings, into which the chorale lines are embedded. The solo violins return in the second aria (tenor), while the first aria, framed by two secco recitatives, makes do with oboe da caccia alongside soprano and basso continuo. In the concluding chorale, all instruments double the vocal parts with the exception of the second horn, whose independent voice lends the movement a unique sound.