Singet dem Herrn

Singet dem Herrn (The probable first performance of this motet was 12 May 1727, the Birthday of Friedrich August, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony. Bach wrote relatively few of this style of choral piece as at the time the tradition was to use existing music in an older style as introits to the church service. Bachs motets were probably all written for special occasions or feast days and tended to copy these earlier styles in their contrapuntal manner. This motet was written for a double chorus; special feast days allowed for the use of a larger body of singers than normal. Although it uses a chorale for the basis of the central section the whole piece resembles an instrumental concerto in shape, fast - slow - fast, and is therefore very suitable for transcription. This version is for 2 choirs of contrasting colour, one consisting of 3 trumpets and 2 trombones and the other of flugel horn, horn, 2 trombones and tuba. Performance notes: All markings are editorial and can be amended or ignored at the musical discretion of the performers. Try to keep the style light and the texture clear, especially in the thicker contrapuntal sections.)