1

Chorus [S, S, A, T, B]

Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Magnificat anima mea Dominum.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.

2

Aria [Soprano II]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo
and my spirit has exulted in God my saviour.

3

Aria [Soprano I]

Oboe d'amore I, Continuo

Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae;
because he has regarded the lowly state of his slavegirl;
ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent
for look! from now on [they]will say that I am blessed

4

Chorus [S, S, A, T, B]

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Omnes generationes.
every generation.

5

Aria [Bass]

Continuo

Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius.
because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

6

Aria (Duet) [Alto, Tenor]

Flauto traverso I e Violino I all' unisono, Flauto traverso II e Violino II all' unisono, Viola, Continuo

Et misericordia a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
and his mercy [continues ] from generation to generation for those who fear him.

7

Chorus [S, S, A, T, B]

Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
He has made known the power of his arm, scattered those who are arrogant in the thoughts of their heart.

8

Aria [Tenor]

Violini all' unisono, Continuo

Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles.
He has put down the mighty from their seats [of power] and raised up those who are lowly.

9

Aria [Alto]

Flauto traverso I/II, Continuo

Esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes.
The hungry he has filled with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

10

Aria (Terzetto) [Sopranos I and II, Alto]

Oboe I/II all' unisono, Organo e Violoncelli senza, Violone e Bassoni

Suscepit Israel puerum suum recordatus misericordiae suae.
He has taken under his protection Israel his boy, and remembered his mercy.

11

Chorus [S, S, A, T, B]

Continuo

Sicut locutus est ad Patres nostros,
in accordance with what he said to our fathers,
Abraham et semini eius in saecula.
to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

12

Chorus [S, S, A, T, B]

Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Organo e Continuo

Gloria Patri, gloria Filio,
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son
gloria et Spiritui Sancto!
glory also to the Holy Spirit!
Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper
As it was in the beginning and [is] now and always
et in saecula saeculorum.
and throughout ages of ages.
Amen.

Note:

Many translations of this text use familiar versions based on translations of the Greek text of Luke 1: 46-55. This translation may seem different because it is intended to offer help to those who wish to follow the Latin and is therefore literal in some places and elsewhere expansive in making explicit the implications of some words.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (September 2006)
Contributed by Francis Browne (September 2006)

Magnificats BWV 243 & BWV 243a: Details
Recordings: Until 1950 | 1951-1960 | 1961-1970 | 1971-1980 | 1981-1990 | 1991-2000 | From 2001 | BWV 243a | Individual Movements
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