Bach-Gounod: Ave Maria, Schwencke version for Clarinet & Harp by James M. Guthrie Chamber Music - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1316712

This arrangement features the controversial "Schwencke measure" (ms. 27) initially introduced in 1783 by Christian Friedrich Gottlieb Schwencke. The convenient 1st & 2nd endings provide an option for extended performance. Duration with repeat - 4:50. Score: 7 pages. Solo part: 1 page, piano part: 4 pages. They are based on Prelude #1 in C Major from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1, and well suited for church meditations, school programs, or recital encores. 

Ave Maria

Ave Maria is a Catholic prayer that consequently asks for the mother of Jesus (Mary) to intercede. Charles Gounod composed a famous version of the Ave Maria. He was a French Romantic composer who overlaid a new melody on an existing Bach chord progression. The progression is from Bach's Prelude No. 1 from Well-Tempered Clavier I. This and Schubert's versions have become essential at weddings, masses, and funerals.

Bach Overview

First, Johann Sebastian Bach may be the greatest composer in music history. Indeed, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. People are probably most familiar with instrumental works such as the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations. But, similarly famous are such noteworthy works as the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Musical Offering, and the Art of Fugue. His most famous vocal works seem to include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, most striking, though, are the St. John Passion and certainly the Christmas Oratorio.

 History

Bach came from a long line of musicians and, above all, composers. Consequently, he first of all pursued a career as a church organist. As a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. He worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen for a while. Here, he probably developed his organ style and, likewise, his chamber music style. Eventually, he gained an appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Here, he worked until difficulties with his employer ultimately drove him away. The King of Poland finally appointed him as a court composer.

 Style

It seems like Bach created a fascinating new international style. He synthesized elements of the most noteworthy European music ideas into his unique style. This new style was probably his synthesis of European musical rhythm and form. Furthermore, he demonstrated a complete mastery of counterpoint and motivic development. His sense of harmonic organization probably propelled him to the top.

Revival              

Mendelssohn conducted a Bach revival in the nineteenth century. His effort probably helped to re-familiarize the public with the magnitude of Bach's works. During this period, scholars published many noteworthy Bach biographies. Moreover, Wolfgang Schmieder published the BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis). As a result, this is now the official catalog of his entire artistic output. The BWV number allows us to locate a work in the catalog. Sometimes scholars will use an "S" (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for "BWV".