Franz Liszt

Präludium nach J.S. Bach (Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen), S. 179

LW A198 · R. 23 · 1854

This is based on the basso ostinato theme of the second movement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantata Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen (BWV 12). Bach used further versions of the same theme in his cantatas Christ lag in Todesbanden (BWV 4, versus 5), Jesu, der du meine Seele (BWV 78, first movement) and Nach dir verlanget mich (BWV 150, second movement), and in the Crucifixus of the mass in B minor (BWV 232).

Liszt also wrote another work on the same theme, the Variationen über das Motif von Bach (Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen) (S. 180; LW A214; R. 24).

Recommended editions

New Liszt Edition (Editio Musica Budapest) · II/11 · Z. A/B 12400 · Free Arrangements XI · ed. Adrienne Kaczmarczyk/Imre Sulyok

Duration: 6'

Difficulty: 3.5

Präludium nach J.S. Bach (Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen), S. 179