Discography of Bach's Magnificat

Performances of Johann Sebastian Bach's Magnificat come in three formats:

  1. D major version, BWV 243 with the twelve movements of that version;
  2. D major version, with the Christmas interpolations from the earlier version BWV 243a transposed and inserted after movements 2, 5, 7 and 9.
  3. E flat major version, BWV 243a. The difference with the previous format is not only the key signature, there are also differences in orchestration, e.g. in the earlier version flutes are not part of the tutti, so do not play in the choral movements 1, 7 and 12, and a trumpet solo in movement 10 instead of the later unison oboes. Other differences are minor, but there is for instance a slightly harsher harmony near the end of movement 4 in the earlier version.

Versions of Bach's Magnificat

The extant autographs of Bach's Magnificat show three versions of his Magnificat:

  • E♭ major version without Christmas interpolations, which is how it was probably first performed,[1] at least the autograph of the E♭ major version of the Magnificat (BWV 243a) suggests that Bach intended to perform the first version of his Magnificat also without the laudes, depending on circumstances, for example on other feasts than Christmas.[2]
  • E♭ major version with Christmas interpolations, this is how Bach had the piece performed at Christmas 1723. The last measures of the fourth Christmas interpolation are however missing in the autograph.
  • D major version (BWV 243), this is the reworked version, without Christmas laudes Bach had performed for the first time at the Marian feast of Visitation 1733.

The first of these versions (BWV 243a without Christmas additions) is not usually performed, while Bach's final version (BWV 243, also without Christmas additions) with its more elaborate orchestration is the most often programmed. The hybrid version (BWV 243, with the Christmas interpolations of BWV 243a transposed and inserted) has found performers and audiences,[3] although BWV 243a, with a reconstructed end of the fourth interpolation, has become more of a standard for performances of the Magnificat including the Christmas interpolations.

Magnificat by Johann Sebastian Bach BWV 243.1 (243a)
Christmas 1723 version		 BWV 243.2 (243)
Visitation 1733 version
No. and title Time Voices Instruments Key Autogr.
p.[4]		 Instruments Key Autogr.
p.[4]
1. Magnificat 3
4		 SSATB tutti E♭ 1–9 tutti D 1–15
2. Et exultavit 3
8		 sII 2Vl Va Bc E♭ 3–7 2Vl Va Bc D 16–18
   A. Vom Himmel hoch SATB E♭ 23, 25–27
3. Quia respexit sI Ob Bc c 8–9 OaI Bc b 18–19
4. Omnes generationes SSATB 2Ob 2Vl Va Bc g 10–12 2Fl 2Oa 2Vl Va Bc f♯ 20–25
5. Quia fecit b Bc B♭ 12–13 Bc A 20–23
   B. Freut euch und jubiliert SSAT Bc B♭ 28–30
6. Et misericordia 12
8		 a t 2Vl Va Bc f 13–15 2Fl 2Vl Va Bc e 24–28
7. Fecit potentiam SSATB tutti E♭ 15–19 tutti D 28–34
   C. Gloria in excelsis SSATB Vl Bc E♭ 30–31
8. Deposuit potentes 3
4		 t 2Vl Va Bc g 17–20 2Vl Bc f♯ 34–36
9. Esurientes a 2Fl Bc F 20–21 2Fl Bc E 36–38
   D. Virga Jesse floruit 12
8		 sI b Bc F 32
10. Suscepit Israel sI sII a TrI Ba c 22 Ob Bc b 38–40
11. Sicut locutus est SSATB Bc E♭ 23–24 Bc D 40–42

12. Gloria Patri

   Sicut erat in principio

3
4

 SSATB tutti E♭

24–27

27–29

 tutti D

42–45

45–48

Recordings
See also: Magnificat (Bach) § Reception history; and Magnificat in E-flat major, BWV 243a § Selected recordings

Differences in recorded performances show some evolution: early performances, often with large choirs, and orchestras of symphonic breadth, tend to have a slower pace, with performance times over thirty minutes (or over 40 minutes when the Christmas interpolations are included) being no exceptions. More recent performance practice leans towards leaner groups of vocalists and smaller orchestras, often using period instruments, and tailored as historically informed performance. Tempos became more vivid and the performance time may be reduced to about twenty minutes for the D major version, and even less than thirty minutes for the full BWV 243a version.

Other differences include whether organ or harpsichord are used as continuo instrument, whether countertenors and/or treble youngsters perform vocal parts, and whether it is recorded with a live audience. Acoustic characteristics of the recording can further be influenced by the performance location, e.g. with our without the high reverberation typical for large church buildings.

For movement D (Virga Jesse), with the end missing in the extant autograph, earlier performances may stop the last Christmas interpolation where the score ends, since, however, in the late 20th century a similarity had been remarked between this piece and another movement in one of Bach's cantatas, a reconstructed ending, based on that composition is more often performed.[5]

Bach composed the work for five soloists: two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass. The soloists are usually listed in the order SI–SII–A–T–B, although some recordings list only one soprano soloist.

Recordings of Bach's Magnificat
Title Conductor / Choir / Orchestra Soloists Label Year Additional info
Joh. Sebast. Bach: Magnificat D-Dur BWV 243[6] Wolfgang Gönnenwein
Süddeutscher Madrigalchor
Deutsche Bachsolisten
Cantata 1966 (1966)?
(LP)		 BWV 243 – 32:00
Magnificats[7]
"BACH: MAGNIFICAT in D Major (with 4 Christmas Interpolations)"		 Helmuth Rilling
Figuralchor der Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart
Turnabout Vox 1967 (1967) (LP) BWV 243 & laudes from BWV 243a – 40:06
Also included in: Christmas Magnificats (CD) and Compare (2014 CD)[8]
Maderna: Desprez J.S.Bach G.Gabrieli-Maderna Stravinskij
"Magnificat in mi bemolle maggiore, BWV 243a"[9]		 Bruno Maderna
choir and orchestra of Südwestdeutscher Rundfunk
Arkadia
  • 1971 (1971) (rec.)
  • 1991 (CD)
 BWV 243a – Live performance
1991 CD: Volume 8 of Maderna Edition
Bach: Magnificat in D (Including Christmas Interpolations)
"Magnificat in D, BWV 243, with Christmas Interpolations, BWV 243a"		 Wolfgang Gönnenwein
Süddeutscher Madrigalchor
Deutsche Bachsolisten
Sine Qua Non 1975 (1975) (LP) BWV 243 & laudes from BWV 243a – 41:50
Also included in: J.S. Bach: Magnificat original version with Christmas verses (1976 LP)[10] and J.S. Bach: Cantatas 142, 65 & Magnificat (CD)[11]
Edition Bachakademie Vol. 140[12] Helmuth Rilling
Gächinger Kantorei
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart
Hänssler 2000 (2000) (CD) BWV 243a
J.S. Bach: Magnificat BWV in E flat major 243a - Cantata BWV 10[12] Roland Büchner
Regensburger Domspatzen
Musica Florea
Pure Classics – Glissando 2000 (2000) (CD) BWV 243a – Boys choir
Magnificat zur Weihnachtsvesper BWV 243a[12] Rolf Schweizer
Motettenchor Pforzheim
L'arpa festante
Amati 2000 (2000) (CD) BWV 243a – Period instruments
J.S. Bach: Magnificat BWV 243a
(with cantata BWV 63)[13]
Leipziger Weihnachtskantaten
(2CD-set also containing cantatas BWV 91, 121, and 133)[14]		 Philippe Herreweghe
Collegium Vocale Gent
Harmonia Mundi
  • 2002 (2002) (rec.)
  • 2003 (CDs)
 BWV 243a – Period instruments
Also included in: J.S. Bach: Magnificat (2007 CD)[15]
→ Reviews
Bach - Kuhnau: Magnificat[12] Ton Koopman
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir
Naxos
  • 2003 (2003) (rec.)
  • 2004 (DVD)
 BWV 243a – Period instruments – Live performance
A. Lotti: Missa Sapientiae / J.S. Bach: Magnificat BWV 243a[12] Thomas Hengelbrock
Balthasar-Neumann-Chor
Balthasar-Neumann-Ensemble
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 2008 (2008) (CD) BWV 243a – Period instruments
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Herreweghe 2002
  • ClassicsToday.com: "bracing but not rushed tempos, infectiously energetic and technically solid contributions from the chorus, and an intelligently paced flow from movement to movement."[16]
  • The Guardian: "Herreweghe's accounts are typically thoughtful, not at all theatrical or dramatically driven, and that slightly laid-back approach takes the edge off the Magnificat too, though the quality of the solo and choral singing, and the careful shaping of the orchestral lines are all exemplary."[17]

References
  1. Glöckner 2003
  2. Spitta 1884, p. 369 ff.
  3. Steinberg 2005, p. 31.
  4. Autograph at bach-digital.de
  5. Jenkins 2000.
  6. OCLC 9389971
  7. Rilling.
  8. Thomas.
  9. OCLC 35891749
  10. OCLC 10735894
  11. BACH 721 at www.baroquecds.com
  12. Oron 2013.
  13. Magnificat BWV 243a at store.harmoniamundi.com
  14. Bach Johann Sebastian - Leipziger Weihnachtskantaten at www.muziekcentrum.be
  15. J.S. Bach: Magnificat, BWV 243a at Amazon
  16. Vernier.
  17. Andrew Clements. Bach: "Christmas Cantatas from Leipzig; Magnificat, Collegium Vocale Gent" in The Guardian, 3 October 2003.

Sources

Scores

Books

Online sources

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