Chorale Editions
An overview and comparison of the editions of the chorales.
I have used the following editions in the preparation of the midi files of the chorales appearing on JSBChorales.net. Initially I used the Riemenschneider edition; it has some misprints and misleading voice notations, and coupled with input errors on my part there have been many errors uncovered in the chorales through the years. I have done ongoing corrections when I or a reader has found errors. As you can see on the Update page, many people have contributed to the correction process.
| J.S. Bach Four Part Chorales
by Johann Sebastian Bach, Imre Sulyok (Editor), Editio Musica Budapest 1982 Note: Reliable |
| Bach Chorales from the C.P.E.Bach Collection
by Johann Sebastian Bach, Frieder Rempp (Editor), Barenreiter 2002; Catalog number 5237 Note: New Bach Work Edition. Generally reliable. See note below. |
| Bach 389 Chorales
by Johann Sebastian Bach, Kalmus Edition, Belwin Mills Publishing Corp. Kalmus Catalog K06002. Note: Old Bach Work Edition, I have found no errors. |
| Bach 371 Harmonized Chorales
ed Riemenschneider, G. Schirmer 1941 Note: Old Bach Work Edition, many errors. |
| J.S. Bach Complete Church Cantatas
by Johann Sebastian Bach, CD Sheet Music, LLC, distributed by Theodore Presser. Note: Old Bach Work Edition, vocal scores with piano reduction. |
| J.S. Bach Keyboard Music and 371 Chorales
by Johann Sebastian Bach, CD Sheet Music, LLC, distributed by Theodore Presser. Note: This is a digitized Riemenschneider. |
An example of an inconsistency in the editions is the chorale, BWV 14.5, Barenreiter #182 (Kalmus #330), is unlike the chorale in the source cantata BWV 14.5; it has a repeat sign and if written out, at the point where the second repeat ends and the remainder of the chorale starts, successive 5ths are created between the bass and the alto. This does not exist in the cantata version because there is not a repeat, and Bach changed the bass and alto notes in the chord at the beginning of the next phrase. The Kalmus edition is correct. See the illustration.
From the cantata
From the Riemenschneider edition
For singers, the Kalmus edition is convenient, has the German words to the chorales, is accurate and a nice size. For keyboard players, the Musica Budapest edition is reliable, a good size and easy to read.
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