String Ensemble,String Trio - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.549856

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Baroque,Concert,Easter,Sacred,Standards. Score and parts. 12 pages. Jmsgu3 #3555135. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549856).

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Awake, the Voice is calling us) from Cantata BWV 140. Duration: ca. 4:00, Score: 6 pages, Program this for church services during the Easter season, weddings, or as a recital encore.

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme

(Awake, the Voice is calling us) also known as: Sleepers Awake

Bach composed his church cantata Wachet auf (BWV 140) as part of his second annual cantata cycle covering the entire annual church calendar. It is based on the hymn of the same name by Philipp Nicolai (1599). The hymn text covers the readings for the 27th Sunday after Trinity. Bach designed the cantata in seven movements, setting the stanzas in various forms. Among these forms are the chorale fantasia, the chorale prelude, and a four-part chorale. He casts the new lyrics as recitatives – in a manner similar to the opera.

Fourth Movement

Bach writes the fourth movement, Zion hört die Wächter singen (Zion hears the watchmen singing), in the style of a chorale prelude with the chorale phrases performed as a strict cantus firmus. The phrases seem to enter at times erratically against the famous lyrical melody. The violins play this melody in unison as a foil against the cantus phrases. The violin melody is so independent and complete that when the cantus melody appears it catches the listener at times totally off-guard. Bach later transcribed this movement for organ (BWV 645). This transcription became No. 1 of the Six Schübler Chorales.

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 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      

String Trio Cello,Viola,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1201012

Composed by W. A. Mozart (1756 – 1791). Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Chamber,Classical,Contest,Festival,Standards,Wedding. 70 pages. Jmsgu3 #798993. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1201012).

Sonata No. 6, “Durnitz� for String Trio

Score and performance parts:  Score: 32 pages. Duration: ca. 28:54

Mozart's Sonata in D major, K. 284, also known as the Durnitz Sonata, is a solo piano piece that was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1775. It is one of Mozart's more complex and ambitious piano sonatas and is generally regarded as one of his greatest works for the instrument.

The sonata is divided into three movements:
1.    Allegro - The first movement is a fast-paced and energetic sonata-allegro form, characterized by its lively theme and virtuosic passages. The movement begins with a bold and dramatic opening statement, followed by a series of contrasting themes and variations. The development section explores new harmonic and rhythmic territory, while the recapitulation brings the movement full circle with a restatement of the main themes.

2.    Rondeau en Polonaise - The second movement is a graceful and elegant rondo in the style of a polonaise, a popular dance of the time. The main theme is a lilting melody that is first presented by the right hand and then repeated with variations throughout the movement. The middle section features a contrasting theme in a minor key, which is then developed and expanded upon in the latter half of the movement.

3.    Theme and Variations - The final movement is a set of six variations on a theme, which is introduced at the beginning of the movement. Each variation explores a different aspect of the theme, from playful embellishments to dramatic flourishes. The final variation brings the piece to a rousing and triumphant close.
Overall, Mozart's Sonata in D major, K. 284, is a masterful example of the composer's virtuosity and innovation and remains a beloved and influential work in the piano repertoire.
 

Mozart's Sonata in D major, K. 284 is also known as the Dürnitz Sonata because it is believed to have been composed for Count Johann Joseph Anton von Dürnitz, an accomplished amateur flautist who was a patron of Mozart.

Mozart was in Munich in 1775, and he met Dürnitz there. According to Mozart's letters to his father, Dürnitz played the flute very well, and Mozart was impressed by his abilities. It is believed that Mozart composed this sonata specifically for Dürnitz, who may have performed it with Mozart accompanying him on the piano.

There is no concrete evidence to support the theory that the sonata was named after Dürnitz, but it is widely accepted as the most likely explanation for the nickname. In any case, the sonata remains one of Mozart's most popular and beloved works for solo piano.

String Trio Cello,Viola,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1151962

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Chamber,Classical,Contest,Festival,Traditional,Wedding. 283 pages. Jmsgu3 #752169. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1151962).

A monument of music.

Mozart's Five Divertimenti K. Anh. 229 are a set of five chamber pieces composed in 1772. The five pieces, K.Anh.227–231, were written for two oboes, two horns, and two bassoons, and were likely intended for a private performance. The five pieces, which are written in the traditional divertimento style, are light-hearted and filled with melodic themes and charming modulations. Each of the pieces is unique, but they are all unified by their harmonic language and Mozart's signature style.


The Divertimenti K. Anh. 229 offers a glimpse into the early compositional style of Mozart, showing a masterful understanding of classical forms and instrumentation. Each of the five pieces are charming, witty, and filled with joyful melodies. While the pieces are light-hearted and intended for a small ensemble, they still showcase Mozart's remarkable skill and compositional genius. The Divertimenti K. Anh. 229 remain some of Mozart's most beloved works and are a delightful listen for any chamber music enthusiast.

String Trio Cello,Viola,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1212300

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791). Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Chamber,Classical,Contest,Festival,Standards,Wedding. 53 pages. Jmsgu3 #809797. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1212300).

Duration: ca. 24:20

Mozart's Sonata K. 331, is a significant piece in music history. Composed between 1781 and 1783, the sonata is known for its third movement, the Alla Turca, which has become one of Mozart's most famous works. The sonata is also notable for its use of variations in the first movement, a technique that Mozart would later use in his famous Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star variations. The sonata's influence can be seen in the works of later composers, such as Beethoven and Chopin, who were inspired by Mozart's use of form and structure. Mozart's K. 331 remains a beloved and important piece in the classical music canon, showcasing the composer's genius and innovation.