Review (PDF) St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244, In Full Score (Dover Miniature Scores)

                
              
Review (PDF) 
St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244, In Full Score (Dover Miniature Scores)
Long considered the noblest, most inspired musical treatment of the crucifixion of Christ, Bach's St. Matthew Passion remains an immensely popular, oft-recorded work. First performed in the late 1720s, the great choral masterpiece was scored for a vast ensemble of double chorus, soloists, double orchestra, and two organs. Richly dramatic and theatrical, its deeply moving story unfolds in recitatives, ariosos, arias, and majestic choral movements.Reproduced here from an authoritative early edition, the score appears with bar-numbered movements. Ideal for study in the classroom, at home, or in the concert hall, this affordable, high-quality, conveniently sized volume will be the edition of choice for music students and music lovers alike.
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications (December 23, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486406350
ISBN-13: 978-0486406350
Product Dimensions:  6.2 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:  3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #106,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)   #2 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Requiems & Oratorios   #4 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Ballet & Dance   #17 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Toys & Models > Miniatures
Of course you must have a full score of the St Matthew. But beware: while some more recent editions have made it readable to the modern amateur musician, this edition still uses clefs you might find difficult: the soprano clef, the tenor (not viola) clef ... and the clarity of printing leaves something to be desired. However, all the notes are there and much more legible than a pocket score.
First, a knock about Dover's cover and title page: the catalogue number of the "St. Matthew" is BWV 244, not 232 (which is the "Mass in B Minor")! That said, Dover has published a good-quality miniature score of this work from the "Bach-Gesellschaft" (19th century complete works) edition. I bought Dover's reprint as a replacement for a miniature score by another publisher (which also reprinted Bach-Gesellschaft), a particularly nasty piece of work with blotchy print, nearly illegible at many points--especially in the figured bass!--and much smaller than the present reprint. Dover does the job as it should be done, and up to its usual standard.It is true, as another reviewer has noted, that the format of the "BG" score is somewhat antiquated, particularly with regard to the old-style clefs (i.e., soprano and tenor clefs rather than treble clefs) in the vocal parts. And since this score was originally published nearly a century and a half ago, no doubt there have been strides in Bach scholarship since that time which are not reflected in this volume. Nevertheless, this is a reliable and useful reproduction of what is unquestionably a significant and valuable edition.
The description says this score is written in English. Actually, it's all in German with English translations only used in the table of contents. Furthermore, the score is so small it's difficult to make out the notes without exhausting the eyes and the printing itself is of poor quality. I would not recommend this.
In this book, the print is very small and leaves no room for writing in it (which I needed for class). The tenor, alto, and soprano parts ARE NOT written in treble clef, which is what I was most upset about. I would NOT recommend buying this version.
Great score for those who miss the German version. Still have trouble listening to the English versions and this makes it easy.
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