Oboe,Piano - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548719 Composed by Martin Luther. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Easter,Instructional,Standards. Score and part. 4 pages. Jmsgu3 #3411753. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548719). Out of the Depths I Cry to You by Martin Luther. The first verses feature modified counterpoint and harmony proceeding at quarter = 82. The final verse is reharmonized for maximum dramatic effect at a more contemplative tempo such as quarter = 64. Features the entire range of the instrument. Very powerful selection for Lent or Easter. Duration (3 verses) 3:05, 36 ms. Score: 3 pg. Solo part: 1 pg. The piano reads from the score. Out of the Depths Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (From deep affliction I cry out to you), is, of course, a hymn composed by Martin Luther. Moreover, Luther also wrote the lyrics, essentially a paraphrase of Psalm 130. First published in 1524, it is also one of eight songs in the original Lutheran hymnal. It appears likewise in many hymnals and in different translations. The lyrics furthermore stimulated compositions from the Renaissance to the contemporary. Consequently, composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach built an entire chorale cantata on it. Other composers similarly contributed pieces, such as Felix Mendelssohn and Max Reger. Luther Background Martin Luther, (1483 –1546) was a German professor of theology, composer, priest, and moreover, an influential character in the Protestant Reformation. Luther had a momentous impact on church and society due to his contributions to the musical arts. He wanted to disseminate the gospel among mankind and with this intention thought that the best way to do that was through music. Influence It is important to realize that other musicians, and their descendants, were encouraged by Luther’s songs and wrote their own hymns. Luther, to be sure, had a thorough musical education. For example, he knew secular and sacred songs from an early age. He, in particular, played the lute well and sang in the monastery when he was a monk. That is to say, music was an essential part of his life. He in fact first began writing songs in 1523, sometimes writing the melody as well as the lyrics. Luther was certainly able to evaluate the composers of his time. He thought especially highly of Josquin des and Ludwig Senfl. He was also acquainted, with this in mind, with other composers and their works. Legacy The Lutheran musical ethos soon covered all of Germany and later significantly fashioned Protestant musical culture. Heinrich Schütz and Johann Sebastian Bach are the most compelling evidence of this Protestant musical culture. Additionally, as a point often overlooked, the pedal organ, first refined in northern Germany, became universally prevalent. As a matter of fact, Dieterich Buxtehude established a regular evening organ concert series in Lübeck. Another key point is that this concert series, in turn, spread North German Musical ideas worldwide. Luther was especially convinced that music is a beautiful and exclusive offering of the divine.

Oboe,Piano - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549426 Composed by Antonín Dvořák. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Instructional,Romantic Period,Sacred,Standards. Score and part. 12 pages. Jmsgu3 #3494023. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549426). Score: 7 pages, solo part: 2 pages, piano part: 3 pages. Duration: 4:25  Not difficult, but requires sensitivity & dynamic control. Suitable for recitals, church meditations, or school programs. Dvořák Background Antonín Dvořák (1841 –1904) was, of course, a composer from Czechoslovakia. As a matter of fact, he was among the first Bohemian composers to attain universal recognition. It is important to realize that the late Romantic Nationalist period featured composers who used traditional and folk elements to portray the character of their nation. In particular, we see this in the music of Grieg (Norway), Finland (Sibelius), and Smetana (Bohemia).  Dvořák relied markedly on rhythms and other characteristics of Moravian and Bohemian folk music. Ascent to Fame Dvořák was truly a child musical prodigy on the violin. The premiere performances of his compositions notably occurred in 1872 and 1873. He submitted his First Symphony in particular to a German competition, but it failed to win. Consequently, in 1874 he presented two more symphonies to the Austrian State Prize for Composition. Johannes Brahms was the principal of the jury and was accordingly very impressed. They forthwith awarded the prize to Dvořák in 1874, 1876, and 1877. At this point, Brahms thereupon endorsed Dvořák to the publisher Simrock. Later, the publisher commissioned Dvořák to compose the Slavonic Dances, Op. 46. These became popular overnight and, as a result, Dvořák's worldwide status was launched. International Status Dvořák visited England upon invitation all nine times. On each visit, he frequently conducted performances of his own compositions. He conducted concerts of his music, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Eventually, the Prague Conservatory in fact appointed Dvořák as a professor. There, to be sure, he wrote his famous Dumky Trio. United States Consequently, the National Conservatory of Music of America appointed him as director in 1892. As a result, Dvořák composed his two most famous symphonic works: the Symphony No. 9 (From the New World), which spread his name universally, and his Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, one of the most famous of all cello works. Moreover, he wrote his most celebrated American String Quartet during this time. At the same time, because of his growing recognition in Europe and his homesickness for his own country, he left to return to Bohemia in 1895.

Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549531 Composed by Edvard Grieg. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Concert,Contemporary,Romantic Period,Sacred,Standards. Score and part. 11 pages. Jmsgu3 #3505769. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549531). Duration: ca. 3:40, Score: 5 pages, solo part: 2 pages, piano part: 3 pages. Super-famous instantly recognizable tune, not very difficult - suitable for a recital, funeral or church meditation. Grieg Background In the first place, Edvard Grieg (1843 –1907) was a Norwegian composer as well as a concert pianist. As a matter of fact, most music historians consider him one of the foremost Romantic era composers. Consequently, his music is part of the international standard classical repertoire. Grieg moreover used Norwegian folk music in his own compositions.  Consequently, he ushered Norwegian music to transnational consciousness. Furthermore, he forged a national musical identity for Norway. It is important to realize that he did this in a manner similar to Jean Sibelius in Finland, and BedÅ™ich Smetana in Bohemia. Legacy Grieg is especially celebrated in the city of Bergen. For example, the city has erected numerous statues depicting Grieg. Specifically, the city has named a concert hall (Grieg Hall), a music school (Grieg Academy) and a professional choir (Edvard Grieg Kor) after him. As a matter of fact, there is also a museum located at his former home in Troldhaugen. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 (Op. 46) Grieg wrote incidental music for the purpose of illustrating a play by Ibsen known as Peer Gynt. The play includes, in particular, the famous selection entitled, In the Hall of the Mountain King. In this composition, Grieg indeed depicts the exploits of the scoundrel, Peer Gynt. In one famous episode, for example, Peer steals a bride at her wedding. For this reason, the people chase him, but soon Peer falls, thereupon striking his skull on a boulder. He wakens forthwith in a highland bounded by angry gnomes. Consequently, the music of In the Hall of the Mountain King represents the mad gnomes taunting Peer. Therefore, each time the theme repeats it gets louder and faster. In the end, Peer surprisingly escapes from the mountain. Holberg Suite and Misc. Summary It must be remembered that Grieg originally wrote his Holberg Suite for the piano. In other words, he only later arranged it for strings. Further, Grieg composed by and large many songs with lyrics by famous writers such as Heine, Goethe, Ibsen, Hans Christian Andersen, Rudyard Kipling, and others. On balance, Norwegian pianist Eva Knardahl recorded altogether Grieg’s whole piano catalog on LP in 1980. These recordings were released again on CD in 2006. In any event, Grieg himself performed and recorded the bulk of these pieces toward the end of his life.Register for free lifetime revisions and updates at www.jamesguthrie.com

Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549553 Composed by Edvard Grieg. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Concert,Instructional,Romantic Period,Standards,World. Score and part. 16 pages. Jmsgu3 #3507523. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549553). Duration: ca. 3:20, Score: 10 pages, solo part: 2 pages, piano part: 3 pages. A delicate masterpiece, not very difficult - suitable for a recital encore. Grieg Background In the first place, Edvard Grieg (1843 –1907) was a Norwegian composer as well as a concert pianist. As a matter of fact, most music historians consider him one of the foremost Romantic era composers. Consequently, his music is part of the international standard classical repertoire. Grieg moreover used Norwegian folk music in his own compositions.  Consequently, he ushered Norwegian music to transnational consciousness. Furthermore, he forged a national musical identity for Norway. It is important to realize that he did this in a manner similar to Jean Sibelius in Finland, and BedÅ™ich Smetana in Bohemia. Legacy Grieg is especially celebrated in the city of Bergen. For example, the city has erected numerous statues depicting Grieg. Specifically, the city has named a concert hall (Grieg Hall), a music school (Grieg Academy) and a professional choir (Edvard Grieg Kor) after him. As a matter of fact, there is also a museum located at his former home in Troldhaugen. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 (Op. 46) Grieg wrote incidental music for the purpose of illustrating a play by Ibsen known as Peer Gynt. The play includes, in particular, the famous selection entitled, In the Hall of the Mountain King. In this composition, Grieg indeed depicts the exploits of the scoundrel, Peer Gynt. In one famous episode, for example, Peer steals a bride at her wedding. For this reason, the people chase him, but soon Peer falls, thereupon striking his skull on a boulder. He wakens forthwith in a highland bounded by angry gnomes. Consequently, the music of In the Hall of the Mountain King represents the mad gnomes taunting Peer. Therefore, each time the theme repeats it gets louder and faster. In the end, Peer surprisingly escapes from the mountain. Holberg Suite and Misc. Summary It must be remembered that Grieg originally wrote his Holberg Suite for the piano. In other words, he only later arranged it for strings. Further, Grieg composed by and large many songs with lyrics by famous writers such as Heine, Goethe, Ibsen, Hans Christian Andersen, Rudyard Kipling, and others. On balance, Norwegian pianist Eva Knardahl recorded altogether Grieg’s whole piano catalog on LP in 1980. These recordings were released again on CD in 2006. In any event, Grieg himself performed and recorded the bulk of these pieces toward the end of his life.Register for free lifetime revisions and updates at www.jamesguthrie.com

Oboe,Piano - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.550929 Composed by J. S. Bach - Gounod. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Christmas,Easter,Standards. Score and part. 12 pages. Jmsgu3 #4888381. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.550929). This arrangement features the controversial Schwencke measure (ms. 27) that was originally introduced in 1783 by Christian Friedrich Gottlieb Schwencke. The convenient 1st & 2nd endings provide an option for extended performance. Duration with repeat - 4:50. Score: 7 pages. Solo part: 1 page, piano part: 4 pages. Based on Prelude #1 in C Major from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1. Well suited for church meditations, school programs or recital encores.  Ave Maria Ave Maria is a Catholic prayer that consequently asks for the mother of Jesus (Mary) to intercede. Charles Gounod composed a famous version of the Ave Maria. He was a French Romantic composer who overlaid a new melody on an existing Bach chord progression. The progression is from Bach’s Prelude No. 1 from Well-Tempered Clavier I. This version, as well as Schubert’s version, have become essential items at weddings, masses, and funerals. Bach Overview First of all, Johann Sebastian Bach is maybe the greatest composer in music history. Certainly, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. It seems like people are probably most familiar with the instrumental works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations. But, similarly famous are such noteworthy works as the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Musical Offering, and certainly the Art of Fugue. Seems like his most famous vocal works include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, most noteworthy, though, are the St. John Passion, and certainly the Christmas Oratorio.  History Bach came from a long line of musicians and above all, composers. Consequently, he, first of all, pursued a career as a church organist. So as a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. For a while, he worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen. Here he probably developed his organ style and likewise his chamber music style. Eventually, he, therefore, gained an appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Here he worked until difficulties with his employer ultimately drove him away. The King of Poland finally appointed him as a court composer.  Style It seems like Bach created a fascinating new international style. He synthesized elements of the most noteworthy European music ideas into his new style. Even more, this new style was probably his synthesis of European musical rhythm and form. Furthermore, he demonstrated a complete mastery of counterpoint and motivic development. His sense of harmonic organization probably propelled him to the top. Revival               Mendelssohn conducted a Bach revival in the nineteenth century. His effort probably helped to re-familiarize the public with the magnitude of Bach’s works. During this period, scholars published many noteworthy Bach biographies. Moreover, Wolfgang Schmieder published the BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis). As a result, this is now the official catalog of his entire artistic output. The BWV number allows us to locate a work in the catalog. Sometimes scholars will simply use an S (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for BWV.  Voyager NASA launched two Voyager spacecraft in 1977. Onboard are phonograph records with sounds, music, and images of life on Earth. The purpose of the launch was to inform intelligent extraterrestrial life forms about conditions on Earth. The music on the disc is varied. There is Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky among others. However, because Bach is so important in our music history, it contains three times more Bach than all the others combined.

Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.794986 Composed by Francois Clement Theodore Dubois. Arranged by Marty Parks. Christian,Easter,Sacred. Score and part. 5 pages. Martyparks.com #6266543. Published by martyparks.com (A0.794986). From Theodore Dubois' The Seven Last Words of Christ, this setting for Oboe and Piano is especially appropriate for worship services during the Lenten and Easter seasons. The interplay of melodic material provides special interest for both players. Intermediate difficulty level. (Full score and separate Oboe part included.).

Small Ensemble Bassoon,Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.522964 Composed by Traditional Celtic Melody. Arranged by John A. Dempsey. Celtic,Easter,Irish,Multicultural,Spiritual,Wedding,World. Score and parts. 13 pages. John A. Dempsey #3043519. Published by John A. Dempsey (A0.522964). Give me a boat that can carry two and both shall row - my love and I.  From a rich, vibrant Celtic tradition comes the classic tune The Water is Wide, lovingly crafted to evoke misty Scottish landscapes with rolling green hills (you can almost smell the heather).  This unabashedly romantic trio for oboe, bassoon and piano is perfect for weddings and ceilidhs (or any Celtic-themed music event) as well as concerts and recitals.  As wedding music, The Water is Wide stirs the heart as a prelude, unity candle accompaniment, a bridal march or a bridesmaid processional.  This arrangement also makes a touching prelude, postlude, an offertory, interlude, silent prayer accompaniment or special music for traditional church services and other worship events, as the melody has been used in multiple hymn settings, including The Gift of Love, Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire and as an alternate melody for When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  Key: F major.  9 pages of music (that includes separate pullout pages for oboe and bassoon).

Small ensemble B-Flat Clarinet,Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.522885 Composed by Traditional Celtic Melody. Arranged by John A. Dempsey. Celtic,Easter,Irish,Multicultural,Spiritual,Wedding,World. 13 pages. John A. Dempsey #3000597. Published by John A. Dempsey (A0.522885). Give me a boat that can carry two and both shall row - my love and I.  From a rich, vibrant Celtic tradition comes the classic tune The Water is Wide, lovingly crafted to evoke misty Scottish landscapes with rolling green hills (you can almost smell the heather).   This unabashedly romantic trio for oboe, Bb clarinet and piano is perfect for weddings and ceilidhs (or any Celtic-themed music event) as well as concerts and recitals.  For wedding music, The Water is Wide stirs the heart as a prelude, unity candle accompaniment, a bridal march or a bridesmaid processional.  This arrangement also makes a touching prelude, postlude, an offertory, interlude, silent prayer accompaniment and special music for traditional church services and other worship events, as the melody has been used in multiple hymn settings, including The Gift of Love, Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire and as an alternate melody for When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  Concert Key (Piano): F major.  Oboe Key: F major.  Clarinet Key: G major.  9 pages of music (that includes separate one-page pullout parts for oboe and clarinet).

Small ensemble Alto Saxophone,Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.522975 Composed by Traditional Celtic Melody. Arranged by John A. Dempsey. Celtic,Easter,Irish,Multicultural,Spiritual,Wedding,World. 13 pages. John A. Dempsey #3055983. Published by John A. Dempsey (A0.522975). Give me a boat that can carry two and both shall row - my love and I.  From a rich, vibrant tradition comes the classic tune The Water is Wide, lovingly crafted to evoke misty Scottish landscapes with rolling green hills (you can almost smell the heather).  This unabashedly romantic trio for oboe, alto sax and piano is perfect for weddings and ceilidhs (or any Celtic-themed music event) as well as concerts and recitals.  For wedding music, The Water is Wide stirs the heart as a prelude, unity candle accompaniment, a bridal march or a bridesmaid processional.  This arrangement also makes a touching prelude, postlude, an offertory, interlude, silent prayer accompaniment and special music for traditional church services and other worship events, as the melody has been used in multiple hymn settings, including The Gift of Love, Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire and as an alternate melody for When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  Concert Key (Piano): F major.  Alto Sax Key: D major.  Oboe Key: F major.  9 pages of music (that includes separate pullout parts for oboe and alto sax).

Small ensemble B-Flat Trumpet,Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.522984 Composed by Traditional Celtic Melody. Arranged by John A. Dempsey. Celtic,Easter,Irish,Multicultural,Spiritual,Wedding,World. 13 pages. John A. Dempsey #3064505. Published by John A. Dempsey (A0.522984). Give me a boat that can carry two and both shall row - my love and I.  From a rich, vibrant Celtic tradition comes the classic tune The Water is Wide, lovingly crafted to evoke windswept Scottish landscapes with rolling green hills (you can almost smell the heather).  This unabashedly romantic trio for oboe, Bb trumpet and piano is perfect for weddings and ceilidhs (or any Celtic-themed music event) as well as recitals and concerts.  This arrangement also makes a touching prelude, postlude, an offertory, interlude, silent prayer accompaniment and special music for traditional church services and other worship events, as the melody has been used in multiple hymn settings, including The Gift of Love, Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire and as an alternate melody for When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  Concert Key (Piano): F major.  Trumpet Key: G major.  Oboe Key: F major.

Oboe,Piano - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1494255 Composed by Thomas Moore. Arranged by Alex Nunes Rodrigues. Folk. Score and part. 3 pages. Alex Rodrigues #1070859. Published by Alex Rodrigues (A0.1494255). The Last Rose of Summer is a work deeply rooted in Irish culture, originally penned as a poem by the renowned poet and composer Thomas Moore in 1805. Moore, regarded as Ireland’s national poet, was inspired by an 'Old Blush' rose while staying at Jenkinstown Castle in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The poem was published as part of his Irish Melodies collection between 1807 and 1834 and later set to music by fellow Irishman John Stevenson. The song gained widespread popularity and was incorporated into the opera Martha by the German composer Friedrich von Flotow, which premiered in 1847 in Vienna.This sheet music has been adapted for solo instrument, preserving the original melody by Moore and Stevenson in its essence. The simplicity of the arrangement allows the musician to highlight the purity of the melody, making it easier to perform while maintaining the piece's emotional character. This version is designed to be accessible for beginner to intermediate musicians, enabling an authentic interpretation that respects the traditional nuances of the work.The Last Rose of Summer captures the essence of melancholy and the passage of time—universal themes reflected in the farewell to the last vestige of a vibrant summer. The melody, paired with Moore’s poetry, evokes a profound sense of loss and longing, with the solitary rose serving as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and the seasons. The simplicity and beauty of this piece have made it a classic, perpetuating Irish tradition and touching the hearts of listeners worldwide.

Oboe,Piano - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1494256 Composed by Thomas Moore. Arranged by Alex Nunes Rodrigues. Folk. Score and part. 3 pages. Alex Rodrigues #1070860. Published by Alex Rodrigues (A0.1494256). The Last Rose of Summer is a work deeply rooted in Irish culture, originally penned as a poem by the renowned poet and composer Thomas Moore in 1805. Moore, regarded as Ireland’s national poet, was inspired by an 'Old Blush' rose while staying at Jenkinstown Castle in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The poem was published as part of his Irish Melodies collection between 1807 and 1834 and later set to music by fellow Irishman John Stevenson. The song gained widespread popularity and was incorporated into the opera Martha by the German composer Friedrich von Flotow, which premiered in 1847 in Vienna.This sheet music has been adapted for solo instrument, preserving the original melody by Moore and Stevenson in its essence. The simplicity of the arrangement allows the musician to highlight the purity of the melody, making it easier to perform while maintaining the piece's emotional character. This version is designed to be accessible for beginner to intermediate musicians, enabling an authentic interpretation that respects the traditional nuances of the work.The Last Rose of Summer captures the essence of melancholy and the passage of time—universal themes reflected in the farewell to the last vestige of a vibrant summer. The melody, paired with Moore’s poetry, evokes a profound sense of loss and longing, with the solitary rose serving as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and the seasons. The simplicity and beauty of this piece have made it a classic, perpetuating Irish tradition and touching the hearts of listeners worldwide.

Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1505116 By Celine Dion. By James Horner and Will Jennings. Arranged by Harry Walker. 20th Century,Chamber,Film/TV,Pop,Wedding. Score and part. 11 pages. SCORE EDITIONS #1080484. Published by SCORE EDITIONS (A0.1505116). My Heart Will Go On, composed by James Horner with lyrics by Will Jennings and famously performed by Céline Dion, is the iconic love theme from the 1997 film Titanic. This powerful ballad, which has become one of the best-selling singles of all time, encapsulates the timeless love story between Jack and Rose, conveying themes of eternal love and remembrance. The song's structure features a haunting flute introduction, expressive verses, a full orchestral chorus, and a dramatic instrumental bridge, concluding with a gentle outro. Winning the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and four Grammy Awards, My Heart Will Go On remains a cultural staple and a key part of Céline Dion's repertoire. Its beautiful melody, poignant lyrics, and emotional depth ensure its enduring popularity in concert programs worldwide. In this version, the composition was arranged for Oboe and Piano by Harry Walker.

Chamber Orchestra Oboe,Piano - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.760282 Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Arranged by Raymond Fenech. Classical,Contest,Festival,Instructional,Multicultural,Opera,World. Score and part. 19 pages. Raymond Fenech #3547283. Published by Raymond Fenech (A0.760282). The Magic Flute (German: Die Zauberflöte), K. 620, is an opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue.[a] The work premiered on 30 September 1791 at Schikaneder's theatre, the Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, just two months before the composer's premature death. Queen of the Night is a popular aria from The Magic Flute. The Duration is approx. 2.51 minutes and the level is Intermediate.

Oboe,Piano - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549226 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Baroque,Easter,Standards,Wedding. Score and part. 9 pages. Jmsgu3 #3468314. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549226). J. S. Bach BWV 508. Bist du bei mir Bach adapted this aria from a lost Stölzel opera called Diomedes. He changed the original orchestral instrumentation to soprano, strings, and continuo.  He also modified the voice-leading making it sound more like a Bach composition. The work appears as BWV 508 No. 25 in the Anna Magdalena Notebook No. 2.   Source Only a few remnants of the original opera have survived. Historians speculate that Anna Magdalena got the song from the Leipzig Opera after the bankruptcy of 1720. Chances are good, though, that the tune was a favorite of everyone in Leipzig at the time.   Lyrics When thou art near, I go with joyTo death and to my rest.O how joyous would my end be,If your fair hands            Would close my faithful eyes. - Unknown Bach Overview First of all, Johann Sebastian Bach is maybe the greatest composer in music history. Certainly, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. It seems like people are probably most familiar with instrumental works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations. But, similarly famous are such noteworthy works as the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Musical Offering, and certainly the Art of Fugue. Seems like his most famous vocal works include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, most noteworthy are the St. John Passion, and indeed the Christmas Oratorio.  History Bach came from a long line of musicians and above all, composers. Consequently, he, first of all, pursued a career as a church organist. So as a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. For a while, he worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen. Here he probably developed his organ style and likewise his chamber music style. Eventually, he therefore, gained an appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Here he worked until difficulties with his employer ultimately drove him away. The King of Poland finally appointed him as court composer.  Style It seems like Bach created a fascinating new international style. He synthesized elements of the most noteworthy European music ideas into his new style. Even more, this new style was probably his synthesis of European musical rhythm and form. Furthermore, he demonstrated a complete mastery of counterpoint and motivic development. His sense of harmonic organization probably propelled him to the top. Revival               Mendelssohn conducted a Bach revival in the nineteenth century. His effort probably helped to re-familiarize the public with the magnitude of Bach’s works. During this period, scholars published many noteworthy Bach biographies. Moreover, Wolfgang Schmieder published the BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis). As a result, this is now the official catalog of his entire artistic output. The BWV number allows us to locate a work in the catalog. Sometimes scholars will simply use an S (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for BWV.  Voyager NASA launched two Voyager spacecraft in 1977. Onboard are phonograph records with sounds, music, and images of life on Earth. The purpose of the launch was to inform intelligent extraterrestrial life forms about conditions on Earth. The music on the disc is varied. There is Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky among others. However, because Bach is so important in our music history, it contains three times more Bach than all the others combined.