Magnificat in D major, BWV 243: Study score : 9781608741199

Bach composed the first version of this piece in 1723 using the key of E-flat major for the Christmas Vespers in Leipzig which contained several Christmas texts. Over the years he removed the Christmas-specific texts to make it suitable for year-round performance, and transposied it to D major, providing better sonority for the three trumpets, which is the standard version of the work encountered today. The Magnificat is divided into twelve parts which can be grouped into three movements, each beginning with an aria and completed by the choir. The four movements from the original version have been transposed to D major and inserted in their original order for those wishing to have the omitted Christmas texts.

This new study score is a digitally enhanced reissue of the full score edited by Alfred Durr for the Neue Bach Ausgabe in 1956. Unlike so many of the on-demand scores now available, this one comes with all the pages and the images have been thoroughly checked to make sure it is readable. The score is beautifully printed at a readable size with a quality cover. Matching full score and orchestral parts are also available from Serenissima Music (93339).