– The Nativity of St John the Baptist – Saturday 24th June 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 167 – ,Ihr Menschen, ruhmet Gottes Liebe’ –

Jun 22, 2023

This 5-movement cantata features, an oboe orchestra, -with a da caccia option during the 3rd movement aria and the addition of a clarion, -slide trumpet, (or ‘natural’ trumpet?), to reinforce the chorale melody during the last chorale movement, in fact the...

– First Sunday after Trinity – J.S.Bach – cantata BWV 75 – ,Die Elenden sollen essen’ –

Jun 10, 2023

This is Bach’s very first Leipzig cantata and for this occasion, he presents himself, at his very best. In the hierarchy of Bach masterpieces, this particular one registers as supreme. A seemingly long cantata, with considerable dimensions, -14 movements and...

– Trinity Sunday – 4th June 2023 – J.S.Bach – cantata BWV 176 – ‘Es ist ein trotzig und verzagt Ding’ –

Jun 3, 2023

An oboe orchestra, + da caccia option, with four-part choir/soloists and continuo, this 6 movement setting contains no tenor solo, although there are two for alto voice. The mention of Nicodemus, brings up the pithy philosophical subject of a contrast, that between...

– Whit Monday – 29th May 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 174 -‘Ich liebe den Hochsten von ganzem Gemute’ –

May 29, 2023

An overbalanced cantata, in the sense that the enormous first movement, -complete with 2 x horns, which never reappear and a concertante/ripieno arrangement of the strings and wind, + chorus and continuo, as usual, completely dominates the feel, texture and...

– Whitsunday- 28th May 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 74 – ‘Wer mich Liebet, der wird mein Wort halten’ –

May 27, 2023

This Whitsunday cantata is of 8 movements, featuring a festive orchestra, 3 x trumpets + timpani, a trio of oboes, including 1 x oboe da caccia, strings, 4-part chorus and soloists, with continue accompaniment. Strong similarities, with BWV 59, movements 1 and 4....