Magnificat (Bach)

Magnificat
BWV 243.2
by J. S. Bach
First page of Bach's autograph score
Key	D major
Related	BWV 243.1 (1723)
Occasion	Lutheran vespers on feast day
Text	Luke 1:46–55 doxology
Language	Latin
Performed	Leipzig, c. 1733
Movements	12
Vocal	SSATB choir and solo
Instrumental	3 trumpets timpani 2 traversos 2 oboes 2 oboes d'amore strings continuo

Johann Sebastian Bach's Magnificat, BWV 243, is a musical setting of the biblical canticle Magnificat. It is scored for five vocal parts (two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass), and a Baroque orchestra including trumpets and timpani. It is the first major liturgical composition on a Latin text by Bach.

In 1723, after taking up his post as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, Bach set the text of the Magnificat in a twelve movement composition in the key of E-flat major. For a performance at Christmas he inserted four hymns (laudes) related to that feast. This version, including the Christmas interpolations, was given the number 243.1 (previously 243a) in the catalogue of Bach's works.^[1]

Likely for the feast of Visitation of 1733, or another feast in or around that year, Bach produced a new version of his Latin Magnificat, without the Christmas hymns: instrumentation of some movements was altered or expanded, and the key changed from E-flat major to D major, for performance reasons of the trumpet parts. This version of Bach's Magnificat is known as BWV 243.2 (previously BWV 243).^[2]

After publication of both versions in the 19th century, the second became the standard for performance. It is one of Bach's most popular vocal works.