Chamber Orchestra - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1035224

Composed by Frederik François Chopin (1810-1949). Arranged by James Strauss. Romantic Period. Score and parts. 33 pages. James Strauss #5806027. Published by James Strauss (A0.1035224).

Unless your name is Mozart, Mendelssohn or Korngold, the first compositional steps are always the hardest. Chopin was probably no older than 14 when he set to work on a set of variations for piano and flute. Already in love with opera, he decided on the happy- ending aria, Non più mesta (No longer sad) from Rossini’s opera Cinderella. As the curtain comes down, Cinderella gleefully warbles, No longer sad beside the fire shall I sit alone, singing; my long years of heartache were but a streak of lightning, a dream, a game. We are unsure what actually prompted Chopin to select this for his unique combination of flute and piano, but it was most likely written for the composer’s father who was a capable amateur flute player. In the end, the piece was probably dedicated to Józef Cichowski, a close friend of his fathers and an amateur flautist as well. We are indeed fortunate that this early piece of Chopin juvenilia has actually survived, as Jozef Nowakowski, one of the composer’s friends, kept the single manuscript copy as a memento. For one reason or another, the work did not appear in print until 1953. This charming and fluent set of variations presents the theme and four decorated versions of the original tune. Added triplet figuration enlivens the first variation, while the second relies on a florid bel canto style to embellish the theme. Rapid downward arpeggios propel variation three, and the concluding variant displays rapid staccato figuration. Stylistically, there is nothing in this composition to suggest Chopin’s hand. You certainly won’t hear Chopin’s fingerprint in the piano part, as all the interesting bits are given to the flute. In addition, it’s the only Chopin piano part that can comfortably be played by most amateurs. Clearly, the future poet of the piano had a long way to go! Here in a Flute and orchestra version.

Chamber Orchestra - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1283479

By Johann Sebastian Bach and Netherlands Bach Society. By Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Flavio Regis Cunha. Baroque,Contest,Easter,Festival,Instructional,Sacred. Score and Parts. 51 pages. Flavio Regis Cunha #874665. Published by Flavio Regis Cunha (A0.1283479).

Bach: Aria 'Mache dich, mein Herze, rein' for Bass Solo and Chamber Baroque Orchestra from the St Matthew Passion (BWV 244).

Discover timeless music with the Bach classic - 'Mache dich, mein Herze, Rein'! Enjoy the intricate and vibrant performance of the piece from the renowned Netherlands Bach Society. Perfect for both professional orchestras and soloists – as well for the joy of schools performing the revered composer's masterpiece. Get the perfect accompaniment for your performance with the authentic sheet music available now!

The aria 'Mache dich, mein Herze, rein' from the St Matthew Passion (BWV 244), performed here by the Netherlands Bach Society and conducted by Jos van Veldhoven for All of Bach. The St Matthew Passion tells the story of the last days of Jesus. He is betrayed, tried, crucified and buried. The lyrics were compiled by Picander (the pseudonym of Christian Friedrich Henrici), probably in close consultation with Bach himself. For their theme, they took the story as told by St Matthew the Evangelist. As different groups or people have their say, the singers get different roles – Christ, Judas, Peter, a slave girl, the pupils, the high priests, the people and the soldiers, etc. At key moments in the story, Bach and Picander added chorales and arias as a reflection of the biblical story. The action is suspended and the events are placed in the theological context of Bach’s day. The chorale lyrics and melodies come from the Lutheran hymn book, and were well known to the congregation in Leipzig. Even though Bach’s harmonies were new, everyone would have recognised the melody and the words. The lyrics for the opening and closing choruses and the arias were brand new, however. Both the arias and the chorales often link up seamlessly with the evangelical words. 

Advanced Intermediate
Format: Concert, 9 x 12 inches
51 pages

Program Notes

Mache dich, mein Herze, rein is a deeply poignant and emotional piece from the renowned work by Johann Sebastian Bach, St Matthew Passion (BWV 244). Written as a part of the 16th passion oratorio as a love song sung by Jesus to his disciples, this piece brilliantly conveys the struggle of redemption and longing for peace.


Accompanied by a chamber baroque orchestra, the stark vocal line is delivered with an intense intricacy by the bass solo. Each note is carefully laden with sincere emotion, imbuing within the words a sense of longing and deep sorrow. As the piece progresses, the reprise of the chorus adds a layer of reflection to the message, driving home the power of the connection between Christ and his disciples.


Mache dich, mein Herze, rein is a highly moving and truly remarkable piece of music that has rightly earned a place amongst Bach's most renowned works. Mache dich, mein Herze, rein is one of the most stunningly tender and moving chorales from Johann Sebastian Bach's monumental oratorio the St Matthew Passion (BWV 244). Originally written with a full choral accompaniment for the Easter Week Vespers of 1729, Bach's skilful reworking of the melody for bass and chamber baroque orchestra in the St Matthew Passion gives the solo voice a unique poignancy and fragility. The Lutheran chorale on which Bach based his composition speaks of hearts needing to be cleansed of sin and sorrow as they prepare to meet the Savior - an idea timeless in its poignancy and universality. Bach's arrangement is akin to a prayer of reflection and contemplation, the music's restrained dynamics and sighing counterpoint creating an atmosphere of resignation and acceptance. Mache dich, mein Herze, rein is a sublime masterpiece of sacred music, truly embodying the spirit of Easter.

Chamber Orchestra - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.597237

By Johann Sebastian Bach. By Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Flávio Régis Cunha. Baroque,Contest,Easter,Festival,Instructional,Sacred. Score and parts. 21 pages. Flavio Regis Cunha #4603489. Published by Flavio Regis Cunha (A0.597237).

The St Matthew Passion (German: Matthäus-Passion), BWV 244, is a Passion, a sacred oratorio written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1727 for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra, with libretto by Picander. It sets chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel of Matthew (in the Luther Bible) to music, with interspersed chorales and arias. It is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of classical sacred music. The original Latin title Passio Domini nostri J.C. secundum Evangelistam Matthæum translates to The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Evangelist Matthew Originally for alto voice, violin solo and string orchestra. The arias are in da capo format (ternary form). Erbarme dich, for alto, and Mache dich, mein Herze, rein, for bass, are examples of such arias in Part Two of the oratorio. In these movements the singers are accompanied by one or a few solo instruments and continuo, occasionally completed by other instrument groups of the orchestra.This Aria was originally composed by J.S. Bach for Violin Solo, strings and alto solo was now arranged for Flute (optional recorder), oboe d'Amore and strings. The flute replaces the solo violin very well, just as the oboe d'Amore's sonority fits wonderfully well by replacing the traditional contralto solo.

Flavio Regis Cunha is a pianist, conductor and composer from São Paulo - Brasil. He is currently finishing his doctorate at Mackenzie Presbyterian University where he works as conductor of the Mackenzie University Orchestra and resident composer. For more arrangements like this, works by commission or for any questions you can contact Flavio Regis Cunha at his facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/flavioregiscunha
Intermediate Level
Fomat: Concert 9 x 12 inches.
21 pages.

Chamber Orchestra - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.496445

By Johann Sebastian Bach. By Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Flavio Regis Cunha. Baroque,Classical,Easter,Praise & Worship,Sacred. Score and parts. 21 pages. FRC Music #110623. Published by FRC Music (A0.496445).

The original Latin title Passio Domini nostri J.C. secundum Evangelistam Matthæum translates to The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Evangelist Matthew Originally for alto voice, violin solo and string orchestra. The arias are in da capo format (ternary form). Erbarme dich, for alto, and Mache dich, mein Herze, rein, for bass, are examples of such arias in Part Two of the oratorio. In these movements the singers are accompanied by one or a few solo instruments and continuo, occasionally completed by other instrument groups of the orchestra.This Aria was originally composed by J.S. Bach for Violin Solo, strings and alto solo was now arranged for Flute (optional recorder), oboe d'Amore and strings. The flute replaces the solo violin very well, just as the oboe d'Amore's sonority fits wonderfully well by replacing the traditional contralto solo. Intermediate Level Fomat: Concert 9 x 12 inches. 21 pages.