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
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
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
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
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
