Despite the orchestration, -strings, continuo and 2 soloists + 4 part chorus, with only 2 trumpets and drums, with no woodwind required at all, and the reasonably weighty, textual subject matter, this cantata remains light fingered, perhaps, in part, due to the lack...
Bach: The Cantatas
General
– Sunday after ascension – 29th May 2022 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 183 – , Sie werden euch in den Bann tun’ –
In scoring this short cantata, Bach reinstates the Violincello-piccolo, along with 2 x oboes, and a da caccio option, although 4 players are needed, 4 solo singers, with strings and continuo. All come together, except perhaps the VC-p, (who knows?) for the final...
– Ascension day – Thursday 26th May 2022 – J.S.Bach – Himmelfahrts Oratorium ,Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen’, BWV 11 –
The ascension oratorio, is scored for strings, continuo and chorus, with two each, of oboes and flutes, three trumpets and drums. Not all the music is original, some being drawn, by Bach, from earlier woks. 1/chorus: ‘Praise God, in His kingdom, praise Him, in His...
– Fifth Sunday after Easter 22nd May 2022 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 87 – ,Bisher habt ihr nichts gebeten in meinem Namen’ –
Orchestral strings and continuo, are joined by a pair of oboes, -with an oboe da caccia option, and the 4 solo singers, join with all, tutti, for the final choral. 1/(introduction) ‘Up-till-now, you have asked me to do absolutely-nothing at all, in my name.’ For Bach,...
– Fourth Sunday after Easter- 15th May 2022 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 166 – ,Wo gehest du hin’-
This ‘questioning’ cantata, is modest in length and forces, -strings and continuo, with oboe and one aria for each voice, with one bass recit, the whole, with chorus, joining, tutti, for the final choral, but overwhelming, in the passion, of its sentiment. 1/(aria)...
– Third Sunday after Easter – 8th May 2022 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 103 – ,Ihr werdet weinen und heulen’.
This six movement cantata, is scored, for the standard combination, of strings and continuo, with chorus and two oboe d’amore. On top of this, Bach calls upon the Tromba, for the aria movement, no 5 and a flauto piccolo, or descant recorder, in movements, 1 and 3,...
– Second Sunday after Easter – 1st May 2022 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 104 ,Du Hirt Israel, höre‘ –
1/(chorus) ‘You, The Good Shepherd, of Israel, give us your ear, you, who lead Joseph, like sheep: Shine, you, who is enthroned, upon the cherubim.’ This cantata, which, on top, of the standard orchestra, chorus and continuo, requires an additional two oboes, plus...
– Tuesday after Easter – 19th April 2022 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 145 – ,Ich lebe, mein Herze’ –
The genesis and subsequent evolution, of this cantata, is uncertain. Whether one or more movements preceded the opening duetto, what they were and even the question of who wrote them, are beyond the considerations of these short notes of guidance. What we have in the...
– Monday after Easter – 18th April 2022 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 66 – ,Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen’.
A later, sacred reworking, of an earlier, secular serenata, -probably the congratulatory cantata, BWV 66a, this cantata, adds a lone trumpet, to its standard orchestra. 1/(chorus) ‘Hearts rejoice, sorrows begone, The Saviour lives and reigns, among you. Drive away...
Easter Sunday – 17th April 2022 – J.S.Bach – cantata BWV 31 – ,Der Himmel Lacht! Die Erde jubilieret’-
This extraordinary and beautiful cantata allows Bach, to draw together a large ensemble: oboes, with a d’amore option, strings and continuo and a 5-part choir, with solo bass, tenor and soprano recits and arias, are joined by an extra oboe, taille and a bassoon, for...