Matthaus-Passion BWV 244b
by Johann Sebastian Bach
4-Part - Sheet Music

Soloists, double choir, organ, orchestra (SATB / SATB) - Level 4

SKU: BA.BA05099-90

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Edited by Andreas Glöckner. Arranged by Martin Focke. This edition: urtext edition. Paperback. Barenreiter Urtext. Early version. Vocal Score. BWV 244. Baerenreiter Verlag #BA05099-90. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag (BA.BA05099-90).

ISBN 9790006531738. 27 x 19 cm inches. Text Language: German, English.

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 Sunde 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 susses 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.