Memories of Leipzig

The name of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is inextricably connected to the German city of Leipzig. This modest and very dutiful master composer worked like a diligent civil servant. From 1723 until his death in 1750 he was cantor of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Since the beginning of the 20th century the Bach Festival takes place in this city every year. The hallmark of Leipzig is internationality: every year soloists come from far and near to perform the baroque music again. The Bach Festival inspired the Dutch composer Henk Hogestein to write Memories of Leipzig which is based on a theme from one of Bach’s arias.

On the great feast days the Magnificat was given at the evening service in Leipzig following the sermon. Bach twice set this poem (Luke I 46-55). One of these compositions for solo soprano has been lost. Of the other Magnificat Bach composed his first version In E-flat with four inserted Christmas pieces prepared for the evening service that holiday 1723. His revision of 1728-31 In D Major omitting the Christmas movements was intended for use on any major feast day.Bach composed the motets for special occasions probably for the birthdays funerals or memorial services of prominent Leipzig citizens.In this edition five of the six motets are scored for acappella chouus: Nos. 1 2 4 and 5 for double chorus (SATB/SATB) No. 3 for various combinations of three- four- and five-part voices. Motet 6 is scored for SATB and continuo.