SKU: A0.549357

This arrangement follows the original Bach prelude and so excludes the extra measure that Schwencke introduced in 1783. If you prefer the extra measure, please see Bach-Gounod: Ave Maria, Schwencke version for Alto Clarinet & Piano, S0.661759. The convenient 1st & 2nd endings provide an option for extended performance with minimal page turns for the accompanist. The duration with repeat is about 4:50. Score: 6 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 or 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 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 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 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.

 

SKU: S9.Q53281

German • Danish.

Joseph Jacques-Mathieu Gregoir (also Grégoir) was a pianist, conductor and composer. When he was young he went from Antwerp to Paris for piano lessons. He then studied with Christian Rummel in Biebrich near Wiesbaden and worked mainly in Brussels. His work includes compositions for piano, chamber music, symphonies and an opera. This edition is based on the Duos concertantes for violin and piano by J. Gregoir and Hubert Léonard (1819– 1890, violinist and Professor in Brussels) from the 1850s (see Hofmeister, Handbuch der musikalischen Literatur 1852–59). The edition for clarinet is by Joseph Blaes (1814–1892), clarinettist in Brussels. Three pieces have been selected: Chant de Mai (No. 2), Le Bal (No. 3), Sur l’eau (No. 5), all were published in 1858 (plate number 14614).

SKU: S9.Q53283

German • Danish.

Joseph Jacques-Mathieu Gregoir (also Grégoir) was a pianist, conductor and composer. When he was young he went from Antwerp to Paris for piano lessons. He then studied with Christian Rummel in Biebrich near Wiesbaden and worked mainly in Brussels. His work includes compositions for piano, chamber music, symphonies and an opera. This edition is based on the Duos concertantes for violin and piano by J. Gregoir and Hubert Léonard (1819– 1890, violinist and Professor in Brussels) from the 1850s (see Hofmeister, Handbuch der musikalischen Literatur 1852–59). The edition for clarinet is by Joseph Blaes (1814–1892), clarinettist in Brussels. Three pieces have been selected: Chant de Mai (No. 2), Le Bal (No. 3), Sur l’eau (No. 5), all were published in 1858 (plate number 14614).