Alto flute in G in lieu oboe d'amore. Alternative part. Composer: 1685-1750.

PP229 ISMN 979-0-57016-312-0 Score and parts
PP229G ISMN 979-0-57016-314-4 alto flute in G in lieu of oboe d'amore
PP229V ISMN 979-0-57016-313-7 Vocal score

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685 and died in 1750. The details of his life and career are well documented, and his extensive and talented family continued the musical tradition into the next generation. During his professional career, Bach was organist in Arnstadt and later at the Weimar court, and Kapellrneister to the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cothen.

But it was while in Leipzig as Cantor of St Thomas', that he produced most of his best-known church music. He was in Leipzig from 1723 until his death, producing a steady stream of cantatas for the church services, over two hundred in total. He also wrote motets, the Mass in B minor, Christmas Oratorio and the Passions, according to St John and St Matthew. His cantatas include many beautiful and moving arias for solo voice with one or more instrumental obbligati. This collection brings together four arias for soprano
with oboe d'amore obbligato, from Cantata 144 (Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin), the Magnificat BWV 243, Cantata 75 (Die Elenden sollen essen) and Cantata 94 (Wasfrag ich nach der Welt). These arias may now be performed as individual items, not only as part of the complete cantata.

The arias are scored for soprano and oboe d'amore, supported by a continuo line. For this edition, the continuo part has been realised by Lance Whitehead from Bach's unfigured basso part, and can therefore be provided, as in Bach's day, by keyboard or organ in addition to or instead of bassoon or cello. The oboe has always been considered to be an instrument close to the human voice in its capacity for eloquent expression, so an oboe part has been provided as substitute for the soprano voice. A transposition of the basso line for cor anglais is also included, allowing the music to be performed as a trio by oboe (flute or violin), with oboe d'amore and bassoon, cello or cor anglais. The obbligato part could also be played by an A clarinet, or by alto flute in G, for which a transposed part is available on request. The music was set by C.M.M. and F.H. Nex.