An Overview of Bach’s Earliest Chorale Repertory: Initial Analyses of the Contents of the Neues Vollständiges Eisenachisches GesangbuchAdam F. DieffenbachQueen’s University, Belfast

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Scholarly References to the NVEG• Conrad Freyse (1883-1964), Bachhaus director

• "Sebastians Gesangbuch,” Bach-Jahrbuch, 45 (1958): 123-126.• First of two short articles introducing the NVEG and suggesting it

was Bach’s first hymnal. Contains hymn-count of 612.

• “Johann Sebastian Bachs erstes Gesangbuch,” Jahrbuch für Liturgik und Hymnologie, 6 (1961): 138-142.• Second and slightly expanded article from Freyse – ends with a

call for study of emblems in the NVEG in light of impact on Bach’s worldview. 2

Scholarly References to the NVEG• Martin Petzoldt, “Über Johann Sebastian Bachs nichtfestgestellte kirchlich-theologische Bibliothek,” Johann Sebastian

Bachs Kantaten zum Thema Tod und Sterben und ihr literarisches Umfeld, ed. Renate Steiger [Wolfenbütteler Forschungen 90] (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2000), 283-318.

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• 2.1 Eisenach 1673

• Neues vollständiges Eisenachisches Gesangbuch ... Eisenach / published by Johann Günther Rörer / (title continued);• Foreword by the publisher Johann Günther Rörer [dates unknown]; at the beginning a seven-verse poem, addressed to the

user of the hymnal, from an author with the pseudonym “Der Spahte”; it conceals behind the name of the intellectual author of the hymnal Caspar Stiehler [25.3.1632-24.6.1707];

• 612 hymns on 1069 pages; in five parts it contains 42 categories, de-tempore index, alphabetical index;• without notes;• including frontispiece 12 whole-page engravings by Johann David Herlicius (d. 1693);• reproduction or interpretation (Wiedergabe) of all 12 images with opposite sides (Gegenseite) in: M. Petzoldt/J. Petri;

Johann Sebastian Bach – Ehre sei dir Gott gesungen, Berlin 1990, p. 3,4, 14-21, 208;• Conrad Freyse: Johann Sebastian Bachs erstes Gesangbuch, JLH 6, 1961, p. 138-142; Martin Petzoldt: Bibel, Gesangbuch,

Katechismus – Johann Sebastian Bachs theologische Welt, in: Cantate, Eine Handreichung für Pfarrer und Kirchenmusiker zum Schütz- und Bach-Gedenkjahr 1985, i. A. der EKD hrsg. von W. Blankenburg and R. Steiger, Kassel 1985, p. 29-42

• In this hymnal may be seen with great probability the one used in JSB’s youth in Eisenach. As the foreword by the publisher Rörer, so also the twelve whole-page engravings give biblical, theological, and biographical connections, which in Bach’s own views have found their precipitation (Niederschlag), as also demonstrated in his use of his Calov Bible as well, in determining cantata texts.

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Scholarly References to the NVEG• Christoph Wolff, Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned

Musician. New York: Norton, 2000. (P. 43)

• “Since the rich trove of Lutheran hymns, sung with or without organ accompaniment or set polyphonically, played such a crucial role in the musical and educational practice of the Lutheran German lands, Sebastian early on became intimately familiar with this vast and varied collection of tunes and sacred poetry. He grew up with the Eisenach Hymnal of 1673 (Neues vollständiges Eisenachisches Gesangbuch), which contained in its thousand-plus pages, no fewer than 612 hymns.”

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The NVEG

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The NVEG

•1047 pages

•589 hymns

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Contents of the NVEG

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Contents of the NVEG

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Contents of the NVEG

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Contents of the NVEG

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Contents of the NVEG

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Contents of the NVEG

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The Cantionale Sacrum

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