Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat in E-flat major | Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir

Johann Sebastian Bach composed but one Magnificat in his lifetime, yet it would become a milestone in music history. Conducted by Ton Koopman, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir here present the difficult and rarely-performed original version of the Magnificat in E flat major, BWV 243.1, in Leipzig's St. Thomas Church, 2003.
(00:00) Intro
(00:15) Magnificat (Orchestra and Choir)
(03:16) Et ex(s)ultavit spiritus meus (Aria)
(05:40) Quia respexit humilitatem (Aria)
(07:50) Omnes generationes (Choir)
(09:11) Quia fecit mihi magna (Aria)
(11:05) Et misericordia (Duet)
(14:44) Fecit potentiam (Choir)
(16:38) Deposuit potentes, (Aria)
(18:44) Esurientes implevit bonis (Aria)
(21:39) Suscepit Israel (Choir)
(23:28) Sicut locutus est (Choir)
(24:41) Gloria Patri (Choir)
AMSTERDAM BAROQUE ORCHESTRA & CHOIR
Deborah York | SOPRANO
Bogna Bartosz | ALTO
Jörg Dürmüller | TENOR
Klaus Mertens | BASS
Ton Koopman | CONDUCTOR
They say "Save the best for last" - but for this concert, Dutch conductor Ton Koopman and his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir put the best in the middle. It's exactly how Bach intended his Magnificat to be performed. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) came to Leipzig at the age of 38, taking positions as Thomaskantor and municipal music director. In his first year alone he composed 63 cantatas for church services on Sundays and public holidays. Of those, 38 were completely new, while the others were re-workings of the text or music of Bach's earlier pieces. That same year he also wrote the St. John Passion (BWV 245), and his largest choral work - the Magnificat. Despite the heavy workload, Bach composed many of his most famous cantatas during this period.
The Magnificat is a setting of the Latin 'Canticle of Mary' from the Gospel of Luke. Bach is said to have composed it for the Marian feast day on July 2, 1723 - scarcely a month after taking up his Leipzig post. In the Magnificat, the pregnant Mary praises the power of God's mercy, having learned from the archangel Gabriel that she is carrying God's Son. The prayer is amongst the most frequently set texts in music history.
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, here performing the Magnificat in Bach's original version - in E flat major, BWV 243.1. In the 1730s, Bach would revise the work, opting to have it in the key of D major. It's that version which is more often played today; though the higher key of E flat major sounds more radiant, it's difficult to play, particularly for wind instruments.
It's not just the instrumentalists who have a lot to master in this work - much is demanded also from the singers of the five-part choir and arias. No two Bach cantatas sound the same, as he was continually experimenting with new sounds and forms. The Magnificat, for instance, is composed as for a festive cantata with choir and soloists, but features none of the recitatives on freely-composed texts. The structure is symmetrical: There are large choral passages at the beginning and end, and in the heart of the composition the 'Fecit potentiam' (He has shown strength) is sung by the choir. The five-part choral fugue - with its intense sound and intricate interlocking - is not only the climax of the Magnificat, it's also one of the piece's most difficult passages.
The Magnificat is often performed during the Christmas season, because Bach included melodies from well-known Christmas carols in an early revision of his E-flat-major version. For this concert, Ton Koopman - conductor, organist and early music expert - selected the original version in E flat major, without Christmas carols. The musicians of his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra play on old instruments or replicas, presenting the piece as authentically as possible - and that in the very place that Johann Sebastian Bach worked as cantor from 1723 until his death in 1750: St. Thomas' Church, Leipzig.
© 2003 EuroArts Music International
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[@mechthilds5083]

An Johann Sebastian Bachs Geburtstag🎉 höre ich diese wunderschöne Aufführung des Magnificats! Herrlich! Danke an Sie alle und danke, dass es Bach auf dieser Welt gab und seine Musik weiter lebt und Freude macht. 21.3.😊

[@alistairhamilton7982]

Lyn😢😅😮o

[@viviancrawford6395]

Vivian Crawford -Jamaica: Thank you very much for such sound to the glory of GOD.Happy memories of my visit to your church.

[@Hadrianus01]

To hear JS Bach played in the Thomaskirche is a dream of mine!

[@FlexingClassicalMusic]

The timeless beauty of classical music transcends eras, weaving a tapestry of emotions and stories through intricate melodies and harmonies. Each note seems to carry the weight of centuries, connecting us to the profound creativity of composers like Beethoven and Mozart. It's a journey through history, emotions, and the human soul.

[@brianbrino4310]

What a beautiful church! A wonderful scenario for Johann Sebastian Bach music! Thank you for the great!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the concert. Subscribe to our channel for the latest uploads.

[@melissaraven3164]

Bach, Koopman, Thomaskirche ... bliss!

[@xvsj5833]

Fabulous ❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🫶🏻

[@ytlol7244]

Wonderful. .

[@dada1947]

Wonderful !

[@uristoffman7018]

Interesting. Although the musical version is clearly BWV 243a (E flat), identified by some melodic changes in Quia fecit, and of course recorders in Esurientes, they play the piece in D major (on A=415), proven by Ton's visible continuo playing in Quia fecit, in which he plays A major on the keyboard, the scale of the aria in the D major version.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@pauloludwig7672]

J.S.B, o magnífico!

[@enriquepaege3704]

Acabo de escuchar el magnífica t de cpm Bach y remato con el de Johan. S .Bach ambos genuino s

[@galinaprozorova7903]

Браво! Спасибо!

[@franciscojaviermunozgarcia2609]

Bravo me encantó, especial mención a la Mezzo soprano 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@miguelangelaraya8034]

Amazing!!!!!!! No words!!!!!!

[@afzaalkhan.m]

Simply superb .thank you

[@elentok2225]

Thanks you very much!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💐💐💐❤️❤️❤️

[@binbinky78]

I had been looking for this performance…glad I found it❤

[@luntuafrica8912]

Thank you for posting this (again). I never get tired of hearing it - especially Koopman’s version.

[@molliethorn]

I just arrived home after singing The Magnificat by Bach with my choir for our holiday concert. This video is first in my KZbin feed! Lovely performance. 👏🎉🎄Thank you ❤️🎵🎶

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you! We're glad you liked the concert. Subscribe to our channel for the latest uploads.

[@user-ld2jn7cg2s]

Well excited conductor gave the work the 21st century touch

[@jaimesanverg69]

Great performance. Such a bliss and beauty.

[@katiasutile55]

Beautifull. Congratulations

[@adorovivere1488]

Wundervoll🥰💞💞💞 eine Grandiose Leistung! Bravo an alle beteiligten👏👏👏und Dankeschön ich habe es genossen!!! Wünsche allen eine schöne Adventszeit und schöne Feiertage!

[@jamescottone9882]

Wonderful!!!!

[@gabrielaorban5685]

Mulțumesc!

[@user-bl6lf3or6w]

Bravi,molto gradevole!

[@glennyang1726]

Bravo！

[@orecalle]

Thanks!!

[@williamyao9906]

太棒了！感谢分享

[@dianakitch4590]

wowsers!

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Spectacular experience :)

[@user-ub4xb2eg7t]

这是一个伟大的指挥！！

[@jensnitsche4994]

Welch eine Prachtentfaltung! Wie kann ein Mensch so etwas erschaffen ?

[@kudrukvasili8892]

❤❤❤

[@bozaregina8607]

❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Muumimamman]

Темп и ритм вообще не про Баха. Лучшее исполнение Баха сейчас- Филипп Чижевский🎉

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you for your comment. If possible, please comment in English next time so that more people can follow the discussion. All the best!

[@stevevasta]

Is this a "different" edition? I kept heading changes: flattened-out rhythms, changed octaves, even missing flourishes.

[@davidmitchell5917]

Yes, you’re correct. It’s the E flat major version.

[@martinweiss3054]

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple 1 Chorus [S, S, A, T, B] Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo Magnificat anima mea Dominum. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. 2 Aria [Soprano II] Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo Et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo and my spirit has exulted in God my saviour. 3 Aria [Soprano I] Oboe d'amore I, Continuo Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae; because he has regarded the lowly state of his slavegirl; ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent for look! from now on [they]will say that I am blessed 4 Chorus [S, S, A, T, B] Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo Omnes generationes. every generation. 5 Aria [Bass] Continuo Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius. because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 6 Aria (Duet) [Alto, Tenor] Flauto traverso I e Violino I all' unisono, Flauto traverso II e Violino II all' unisono, Viola, Continuo Et misericordia a progenie in progenies timentibus eum. and his mercy [continues ] from generation to generation for those who fear him. 7 Chorus [S, S, A, T, B] Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. He has made known the power of his arm, scattered those who are arrogant in the thoughts of their heart. 8 Aria [Tenor] Violini all' unisono, Continuo Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles. He has put down the mighty from their seats [of power] and raised up those who are lowly. 9 Aria [Alto] Flauto traverso I/II, Continuo Esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes. The hungry he has filled with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 10 Aria (Terzetto) [Sopranos I and II, Alto] Oboe I/II all' unisono, Organo e Violoncelli senza, Violone e Bassoni Suscepit Israel puerum suum recordatus misericordiae suae. He has taken under his protection Israel his boy, and remembered his mercy. 11 Chorus [S, S, A, T, B] Continuo Sicut locutus est ad Patres nostros, in accordance with what he said to our fathers, Abraham et semini eius in saecula. to Abraham and to his seed for ever. 12 Chorus [S, S, A, T, B] Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Organo e Continuo Gloria Patri, gloria Filio, Glory to the Father, glory to the Son gloria et Spiritui Sancto! glory also to the Holy Spirit! Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper As it was in the beginning and [is] now and always et in saecula saeculorum. and throughout ages of ages. Amen.

[@FBraga-on6kd]

Thank you!