The Fugue in G minor, BWV 131a, is a piece of organ music attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach.^[1] It is a transcription of the last movement of his cantata Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131.^[2] The cantata is definitely by Bach, while the arrangement for organ is regarded by some authorities (from Spitta onwards) as spurious.^{[citation needed]} The organ version likely originated after the cantata, which was composed in 1707.^[a][3]

Publication

The piece was published in 1891 in the Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe, the first complete edition of the composer's works. It was edited by Ernst Naumann.^[4]

Relationship with the cantata

The key of G minor, sometimes associated with sadness, is used extensively in the cantata, which sets Psalm 130, one of the penitential psalms.^{[citation needed]}

Scoring of the cantata

In the cantata the fugue (a permutation fugue) is sung by the choir.^{[citation needed]} The score of the cantata does not feature an organ part as such.^{[citation needed][relevant?]} However, the scoring for the instrumental ensemble includes a basso continuo part (for which a figured bass is provided), and Bach may well have intended this to be played on the organ.^{[relevant?][5]} Ton Koopman, for example, in his recording of this cantata uses organ continuo.^{[citation needed][relevant?]}