Resources on J. S. Bach in ARMA

Among the composers represented in ARMA, Bach is particularly strong for music history and music theory courses, especially when compared to the limited coverage that is occurs in the print medium. Bach is covered by articles, music scores, and commentaries. It is also possible to put Bach's works in closer focus by exploring the music of his contemporaries. The materials listed offer a starting point for instructors to use with their students as they explore Bach's music and its significance.

ARMA contains scores of significant works:

Cantata
• Ein' feste Burg, BWV 80
• Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV78
• Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62
• Wachet auf, BWV 140
Chorale
• St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244: "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden"
Chorale Prelude
• Orgelbüchlein: "Durch Adams Fall" BWV 637
• Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599
• Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 636
Orchestral Music
• "Brandenburg" Concerto no. 5, BWV 1050, movement 1
• "Brandenburg" Concerto" no. 5, BWV 1050, movements 2 and 3
Organ Music
• Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548
• Six Schubler Chorales, no. 1, BWV 645 ("Wachet auf")
• Six Schubler Chorales, no. 2, BWV 646 ("Wo soll ich fliehen hin")
• Six Schubler Chorales, no. 3, BWV 647 ("Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten")
• Six Schubler Chorales, no. 4, BWV 648 ("Meine Seele erhebt den Herren")
• Six Schubler Chorales, no. 5, BWV 649 ("Ach bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ")
• Six Schubler Chorales, no. 6, BWV 650 ("Kommst du nun, Jesu")
Preludes and Fugues (Keyboard)
• Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543
• Prelude and Fugue in D-sharp minor, BWV 853
• Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, Prelude and Fugue no. 1, BWV 846
• Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, Prelude and Fugue no. 2, BWV 847
• Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2, Prelude and Fugue 7, BWV 876

In addition, ARMA contains a detailed biographical study of Bach and also commentaries on selected works:

Articles
• Matthew Hall: Johann Sebastian Bach
The interactive bibliography in Matthew Hall's article is particularly useful.
About Bach's Era
• Jonathan Rhodes Lee: Introduction to the Baroque Era
• Kimberly Hieb: Genres and Forms in the Baroque Era
• Christopher Brody: Analytical Approaches to Baroque Music
Commentaries
• Bach: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62 (Commentary) by Jonathan Shold
• Bach: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV140 (Commentary) by David Schildkret 943
• Bach: "Brandenburg" Concerto no. 5, BWV 1050 (Commentary) by Jonathan Rhodes Lee
• Bach: Orgelbüchlein (Commentary) by Rob Haskins
• Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 846 (Commentary) by Jonathan Rhodes Lee

ARMA includes music by contemporaries of Bach, and the pieces include the following works by J. C. Bach, Handel, and Telemann:

J. C. Bach
• J. C. Bach: Sonate in D major, op. 5, no. 2
Handel
• Handel: Giulio Cesare: Act 1, scenes 5-7
• Handel: Sonate in D major, op. 5, no. 2
• Handel: Saul, Act 2, nos. 65-68
• Handel: Zadok the Priest
• Handel: Orlando, Overture
• Handel: Orlando, Act 1 (all)
Telemann
• Telemann: Trio Sonata in E minor, movement 2
• Telemann: Tafelmusik, Quartet in D minor: movement 1
• Telemann: Tafelmusik, Quartet in D minor: movement 2
• Telemann: Tafelmusik, Quartet in D minor: movement 3
• Telemann: Tafelmusik, Quartet in D minor: movement 4
Of Related Interest
• Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasilieras, no. 5

Please use the general page for links to other Resource Pages. Additional materials are in preparation and will be available when they are ready.

Click here to use the A-R Online Music Anthology

More contributions are welcome in ARMA! Contact James Zychowicz, if you would like to send a proposal.