O Jesus Christ, my life, my light Funeral motet by Johann Sebastian Bach 4-Part - Sheet Music

1. Fassung: Coro SATB, 2 Cor, Ctto, 3 Trb; 2. Fassung: Coro SATB, 2 Cor, 2 Vl, Va, Bc, [2 Ob, Tl (Eh), Fg]

SKU: CA.3111805

Funeral motet. Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Edited by Ulrich Leisinger. This edition: urtext. Stuttgart Urtext Edition: Bach vocal. German title: O Jesu Christ, Mein'S Lebens Licht Motette. Sacred, Motets; Stuttgart Urtext editions; Occasions: Mourning, Death. Choral score. Composed 1736/37 thru the first half of the 1740s. BWV 118. 4 pages. Duration 7 minutes. Carus Verlag #CV 31.118/05. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.3111805).

ISBN 9790007108700. 8.27 x 11.69 inches. Key: B flat major. Language: German/English. Text: Martin Behm.

Two versions survived: 1st version composed 1736/37, 2nd version in the first half of the 1740s. The versions differ only in instrumentation, and both are integrated in this edition.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s funeral composition O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht (O Jesus Christ, my life, my light) BWV 118, exists in two versions which differ in essentials only as regards their instrumentation. The first version, whose source material indicates that it dates from 1736 or 1737, makes use only of brass instruments. The later version, which belongs to the period around 1746/47, requires stringed instruments instead of the cornetts and trombones; there is also specific provision for 3 oboes and a bassoon (presumably to support the voices). The unusual term "Litui" is believed to refer to two horns pitched in a high B flat.

Bach made only minor changes to the musical substance of the work when he revised it, so it appears justifiable to print both versions. The only formal alteration which Bach made in the later version was the repetition of the instrumental prelude and interlude once again at the conclusion of the work.