frumuspub.jsb.sinfonia.cant29.notes

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to the Website for

Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)
Sinfonia
from Cantata No. 29
"Wir danken dir, Gott , wir danken dir"

A Performing Edition

Transcription for Organ by
Ennis Fruhauf
(7 pages)

Notes

        Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata No. 29, "Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir," is one of four Bach cantatas to have survived intact that were originally written to celebrate the annual investiture of the Municipal Council in Leipzig. The work would have been performed in St. Nicholas’ Church on the Sunday prior to the traditional St. Bartholomew’s Day investiture ceremony that took place in the municipal council chamber. Its first performance was on August 27, 1731, and it is thought to have been repeated for the opening sessions of 1739 and 1749.

        The Sinfonia is a brilliant instrumental adaptation of the Prelude from Bach’s third unaccompanied Violin Partita in E major (S. 1006). For its ensemble performance, the movement was transposed down by a whole step from the original key. It is scored for strings, oboes, trumpets (trombas), tympani, organ obbligato and basso continuo. The solo line of the original violin prelude is present throughout, with only minor alterations to some of the original idiomatic string figurations and arpeggiations. The ceaseless rhythmic drive makes unusual demands on the performer, while at the same time imparting a compelling impetus to the work. The overture demonstrates some of the characteristics of incipient concerto form and structure, while at the same time lacking a sense of areas where thematic materials are shared equally between solo and ensemble. Notably absent is a thematic tutti introduction, followed by the dramatic emergence of a solo instrument.

        In the transcription offered here, minor alterations have been made to bass line figurations to accomodate more comfortable and efficient organ pedaling. The process of adapting the orchestral accompaniment to the realm of the left hand has necessitated many choices of an arbitrary nature, particularly with a mind to avoiding overwhelming technical challenges for the performer.