Air

With the 2nd movement from the Orchestra Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068, this edition offers one of the most famous pieces of classical music in an arrangement for school and amateur ensembles.

While the original instrumentation of the Air comprises only strings and basso continuo, the orchestration of the other movements shows that Bach used the supplementary instruments only to double the strings (oboes) or to accentuate the rhythm and sound (trumpets and timpani). Against this background, it seemed legitimate for the arranger to carefully expand the instrumentation of this edition to include some of the instruments currently in use.

In addition to the pure string version in addition to harpsichord or organ, the following wind instruments are also possible: woodwind I in C (flute), woodwind II in C (flute or oboe), woodwind III in Bb (clarinet), woodwind IV in C (bassoon), brass I and II in Bb (trumpet), brass III in F (horn) and C (trombone), brass IV in C (trombone and tuba) and percussion.

The violins play only in the first register, the highest note of the cello is the e'. In addition to a violin III, which can support the viola, there is also a so-called violin easy, which only includes the first fingering and thus also allows the participation of beginners (both parts are included in the book of parts).

If the woodwinds are not completely covered in bars 17-24, they can be replaced by the corresponding strings (key notes).

The score is in C, the individual parts are written in the corresponding tuning.