J.S. Bach: Sinfonia to Cantata No. 29 [2024 Revisit] (Synthesized)

For information on the visualization, please read to the end of this note.
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote Cantata 29 in 1731, by which time he was working in Leipzig and at the height of his career. Although there is a reference to "Gott" (God) in the title (and the work is based on sacred text), this is not actually a church cantata - that is, it was not written for a specific liturgical feast. But the work is a sacred cantata, written for a service at the Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas Church) accompanying the “Ratswechsel” - the annual inauguration of a new town council on the 27th of August of that year.
The cantata is one of few sacred cantatas written by Bach which opens with an orchestral sinfonia. Who knows what Bach’s motivation was behind this Sinfonia (convenience, musical appropriateness, or simply a looming deadline?) but the opening music the citizens of Leipzig heard that day (and again in 1739 and 1749) had existed in another form for over a decade, as the prelude to Violin Partita No. 3 in E (BWV 1006), written during Bach's earlier Cöthen period. Bach had already revised this for organ and strings in 1729 for the “wedding” cantata “Herr Gott, Beherrscher aller Dinge” (BWV 120a).
Bach sometimes reused an earlier composition, typically revising and improving it in a process called “parody” - the reworking of one kind of composition into another. Transposing the work from E major down a step to D major, Bach transformed the prelude and created a joyous orchestral setting befitting the ceremonial pomp of the occasion. The obbligato (solo) organ plays the original virtuoso violin part, while the lavishly written ensemble (3 trumpets, two oboes, strings, continuo and timpani) imitates the material to produce a concerto-like structure. Today, this ceremonial sinfonia is often performed by solo organ (notably by organist Diane Bish).
Towards the end of 2023 I was approched by a film Producer/Director from the UK regarding using the work in his upcoming film: "Foul Evil Deeds" (www.imdb.com/title/tt22498378.... As such, I decided to revisit the piece because it’s my favourite and looking back, there were things in my 2017 post that I wanted to improve upon. (Unfortunately my 2021 attempt at this was ultimately diminished in quality as afterwards it was discovered that I'd suffered some hearing loss). Having found a way to work through this deficit, I was able to modify and/or create brand new voicing for this project, having gained more experience in sound development with my VST synths. I wanted this new interpretation to get closer in sound to Carlos’ original than in my previous posts. Though my timbres may seem reminiscent, my style gives the work a broader, brighter stereo treatment than Carlos’ more simplistic audio vista.
This is probably the most important piece of music to me (and is my ultimate favourite Baroque composition). The work presented here, is my sincere homage to Wendy Carlos, whose 1969 Grammy Award winning "Switched-On Bach" was the album that sparked my interest in Classical music. It inspired me to study piano, explore music through its eras, and later on, lead me to synthesizers and digital sound development.
Here is Bach's famous opening Sinfonia in D major to his Cantata 29, "Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir." (We thank you, God, we thank you).
For those wanting to follow the music, the MAMM Player Visualization colours are as follows:
Organ (R.H.) - Orange (top line)
Trumpets I, II & III - Yellow/Lime Green/Green (intermittent over Oboes)
Oboe I - Cyan (2nd line)
Oboe II - Turquoise (3rd line)
Bassoon - Blue (4th line)
Cello - Purple (2nd last line)
Double-bass - Pink (bottom line)
Timpani - Red (intermittent over Cello)
As always, the use of headphones will greatly enhance the listening experience.

[@jeannemasters9608]

So beautiful. I closed my eyes and just let it wash over me. Thank you!!

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thank you for your comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

[@RussellNelson]

I love these!

[@flawseeingeye]

thank you for keeping synthclas alive 🙏🙏🙏

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thank you for your gracious comment.

[@simoncrocket2040]

Just superb Carey. Absolutely tip top production. Great to hear your talent again. :)

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thanks so much Simon. This one is very special to me and I’ve always wanted to improve upon my previous versions.

[@DuncanPierce]

Wonderful! I've loved this piece ever since our music teacher at school played us Switched on Bach 40 years ago.

[@CareyRMeltz]

Same experience for me although it was back in grade 7… 1971 just a few years after S-OB was released. I went out and bought the album that night.

[@DuncanPierce]

It was an extraordinary and pioneering work of art. I spent hours listening to it. Thank you, Carey, for recording and sharing this.

[@ubizmo]

​@@CareyRMeltzfor me, Junior high, when it was first released! Same effect though.

[@erikjay3951]

This brought me great joy to hear. Thank you very much.

[@CareyRMeltz]

So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know.

[@thepalaceworm]

Fantastic. You make it seem so easy. Thank You so much for this.

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thank you!

[@MrPSaun]

Bach really does sound good on everything. I love it!

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thank you very much.

[@marydesalvo3470]

WOW! Just amazing! ❤

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thanks so much. 😀

[@waxxiesshack]

What a great video. Very well done.
Carlos was my introduction to Bach as well. Cheers

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thanks so much. More work on the way.

[@smgatas]

This is so good. Well done.

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thank you very much.

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thanks so much.

[@DSZI.ShyHunterBB]

This is just incredible!

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thanks. I put a lot of time into fine-tuning the voicing but I’m really happy with the way it came out.

[@cosmeamenta3474]

​@@CareyRMeltzyou reached 👌
(despite my opinion isn't professional I think you did it)

[@jas4511]

Fascinating! Mesmerizing! Amazing!

[@CareyRMeltz]

Thanks so much. 😘

[@michaelgreaves2375]

Are we absolutely sure that J.S. Bach didn't have a Synth? It sounds like this sinfonia was specificly composed for synth!

[@murcoroegholt9435]

Bach is dermate abstract dat elke verwijzing naar het stoffelijke (in de vorm van een muziekinstrument), afleidt van de essentie.
Electronische toongeneratoren zijn onstoffelijk.

[@murcoroegholt9435]

Dit is het eerste nummer van de LP "Switched on Bach uit 1968. Ik was toen 16. Ik hoorde het nummer op Hilversum I, rende onmiddellijk naar de dichtsbijzijnde platenzaak gerend, en kocht de LP.

[@adammiranda357]

Can you make a 432hz frequency version of Two-Part Invention No. 4 in D minor, BWV 775 (Synthesized)? Imagine how cool it would sound in 432hz frequency.

[@CareyRMeltz]

My apologies but I’m not able to take requests.