J. S. Bach: Prelude & Fugue S 541
by Johann Sebastian Bach
String Orchestra - Digital Sheet Music

String Orchestra - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.547965

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Baroque. Score and Parts. 41 pages. Jmsgu3 #3091967. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.547965).

Bach's Prelude & Fugue in G for string orchestra. This arrangement is fairly easy to prepare and perform.  

Prelude & Fugue BWV 541

It seems like this Prelude and Fugue was composed in the first two decades of the 18th Century, perhaps in Weimar. The work is a study in repeated notes. This technique was popular in the North German School, but it developed quite a bit further as repeated chords.

After an extended solo passage in the pedal, the repetitions begin right away. At times all voices but the pedal are engaged in the constant repeating. It’s like great rhythmic clouds of harmonies are constantly developing, turning dissonant, resolving then dissipating.

 

Bach Overview

First of all, Johann Sebastian Bach is maybe the greatest composer in music history. Certainly, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. It seems like people are probably most familiar with the 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. Seems like his most famous vocal works include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, most noteworthy, though, are the St. John Passion, and indeed 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. So as a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. For a while, he worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen. Here he probably developed his organ style and likewise his chamber music style. Eventually, he, therefore, 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 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 new style. Even more, 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 simply use an "S" (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for "BWV".