Fugue in G minor, BWV 131a
The Fugue in G minor, BWV 131a, is a piece of organ music attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach.[1] It is a transcription of the last movement of his cantata Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131.[2] The cantata is definitely by Bach, while the arrangement for organ is regarded by some authorities (from Spitta onwards) as spurious.[citation needed] The organ version likely originated after the cantata, which was composed in 1707.[a][3]
Publication
[edit]The piece was published in 1891 in the Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe, the first complete edition of the composer's works. It was edited by Ernst Naumann.[4]
Relationship with the cantata
[edit]The key of G minor, sometimes associated with sadness, is used extensively in the cantata, which sets Psalm 130, one of the penitential psalms.[citation needed]
Scoring of the cantata
[edit]In the cantata the fugue (a permutation fugue) is sung by the choir.[citation needed] The score of the cantata does not feature an organ part as such.[citation needed][relevant?] However, the scoring for the instrumental ensemble includes a basso continuo part (for which a figured bass is provided), and Bach may well have intended this to be played on the organ.[relevant?][5] Ton Koopman, for example, in his recording of this cantata uses organ continuo.[citation needed][relevant?]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Peter Williams in The Organ Music of J. S. Bach (1980-84)[page needed] considers the possibility that the cantata is later than the keyboard version, but concludes this is unlikely.
References
[edit]- ^ Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Fugue in G-, BWV131a classicalarchives.com
- ^ "Fugue, g BWV 131a". Bach Digital. Leipzig: Bach Archive; et al. 2018-07-07.
- ^ "Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir BWV 131". Bach Digital. Leipzig: Bach Archive; et al. 2019-03-11.
- ^ Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe, Vol. 38. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, 1891.
- ^ Smith, Craig. "Cantata 131; Programme Notes". Emmanuel Music. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
