Magnificat — opening chorus

J. S. BachBWV 243

Key

D

Time

3/4

Tempo

♩=100

AO focus

AO3

Form

Opening chorus of the Magnificat in D — Bach's full-orchestra setting of Mary's canticle from Luke 1. Trumpets + drums in jubilant D major; five-part chorus (SSATB).

Teaching points

• Five-part chorus (SSATB, with two soprano lines) — discuss Bach's preference for this scoring in his most festive works
• Trumpets + drums in D major — Baroque convention. The natural trumpets play the harmonic series of D, dictating the key
• AO3: ritornello + choral entries — the orchestral ritornello frames each entry of the chorus
• AO1: a standout school-choir + orchestra concert — the joy of the music makes rehearsal energy easy