MAGNIFICAT, JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, BWV 243

The most famous setting of this text and one of the most popular choral works ofJohann Sebastian Bach. There are two versions, both in autograph, of essentially the same work with minor variants. The earlier, in E-flat major (BWV 243a) originally had fourLutheranChristmaschoralesinterpolated into its Latin text. The later, more familiar version in D major has no such chorales, thus making it appropriate for any festivalvespers. The first performance took place inLeipzigduring the Christmas Day vespers, 1723.

Bach sets each of the 10 verses of theMagnificatand the two verses of thedoxologyas a short, self-contained movement in the manner of a "Neapolitan"mass. He scored it for five vocal soloists (SSATB), five-voiced choir, and an orchestra of two flutes, oboe and oboe d’amore, bassoon, timpani, strings, andcontinuo. A performance requires about half an hour.