BWV

Arts & Entertainment abbreviation · Music

BWV
Stands forBach-Werke-Verzeichnis (Bach Works Catalogue)
CategoriesArts & Entertainment

BWV stands for Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (Bach Works Catalogue), a music abbreviation.

Catalog number identifying a composition by Johann Sebastian Bach, such as the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565. Concert programs and recordings list the BWV number after the title.

Example: The cellist closed with the Prelude from Suite No. 1, BWV 1007.

Usage notes

Compiled by musicologist Wolfgang Schmieder and published in 1950, the catalog groups works by genre rather than date, starting with the cantatas. A few works once listed under Bach's name are now thought to be by other composers.

More music abbreviations

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  • ASCAP – American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
  • BMG – Bertelsmann Music Group
  • BMI – Broadcast Music, Inc.
  • BPM – Beats per minute
  • BTS – Bangtan Sonyeondan
  • CHR – Contemporary hit radio
  • CMA – Country Music Association
  • cresc. – Crescendo
  • D.C. – Da capo
  • D.S. – Dal segno
  • DAW – Digital audio workstation

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Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.