Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) first set the text of the Magnificat, BWV 243, in 1723 after taking up his post as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, but in the key of E-flat. This original version (cataloged as 243.1) was first performed on Christmas Day at the Leipzig Thomaskirche in 1723 and included four Christmas hymns beyond the Magnificat’s twelve movements. Bach revised the work in 1733, changing the key to D for the sake of the natural trumpets and expanding the instrumentation slightly with transverse flutes and oboes d’amore. This second version (243.2) was likely performed on July 2nd of that year for the feast of Visitation, a holiday associated with the Magnificat text, which also resulted in the removal of the four Christmas hymns. The second version in D is the one most frequently performed today. This edition is by Karl Straube (1873-1950), German choral conductor and organist.