About this work
BWV 191 brings together three Latin movements built from music found in the Mass in B minor. The opening chorus launches Gloria in excelsis Deo with trumpets, timpani, woodwinds and strings. A soprano and tenor duet then sets the Gloria Patri, before a final chorus, Sicut erat in principio, restores the collective momentum.
The choir can prepare the first movement in blocks of text and families of entries. The coloratura must share a common direction; if each section breathes only according to its own difficulty, the phrase breaks apart. In the duet, the two soloists should align their consonants while allowing the lines to imitate each other freely.
The final movement is not simply a return to the opening volume. Notice how Bach adapts the material and accommodates the new Latin syllables. Save some strength for the long closing sequences. The jubilation is more convincing when the counterpoint remains clear even in the busiest passages.
What the document containsthe three Latin movements of BWV 191;a 46-page vocal score for voice and piano;no accompanying MIDI file.The PDF is intended for vocal rehearsal at the keyboard; the original scoring calls for soloists, choir and orchestra.