BachWerkeVerzeichnis

Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis, abbreviated BWV, is the standard catalog of Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositions. It was compiled by the German musicologist Wolfgang Schmieder and first published in 1950; since then it has undergone revisions and refinements to broaden and correct the listing. The catalog assigns to each work a unique BWV number, providing a concise and stable reference across editions and libraries.

The BWV organizes Bach’s output by genre rather than strictly by chronology. The main body includes sacred vocal works (such as cantatas, motets, masses, and passions), secular vocal music, keyboard and organ works, chamber music, and orchestral pieces. In addition to the main sequence, the catalog contains an Anhang (Anh.) for works of doubtful authenticity, misattributions, or lost pieces; many items in Anh. have since been reclassified or reattributed as research progresses.

The BWV numbers are widely used in scholarly editions, library catalogs, program notes, and performance practice. They provide a common framework that underpins critical editions, such as the Neue Bach-Ausgabe (NBA), and serve as the standard reference for scholars and performers worldwide. While the numbers do not always reflect exact publication order or chronology, they offer a stable and comprehensive map of Bach’s known repertoire, including both well-established works and items whose attribution remains debated.