Soprano Natalie Dessay dedicated this recording to Martin Luther King.
Composer Biography
Bach's promotion to Concertmeister in March 1714 at the Weimar court led to a significant increase in his cantata output.
Composition History
The cantata 'Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen' was likely composed because Bach had a gifted singer available, though the exact identity of this singer, possibly Christoph Nichelmann or Giovanni Bindi, is uncertain.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach's solo cantatas, including the three on this album, emphasize the feelings of the individual rather than a communal expression of faith, which has made them enduringly popular.
Compositional Technique
The cantata 'Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut' reflects the reforms of poet and theologian Erdmann Neumeister by using freely-composed rather than biblical texts and the da capo aria form.
Composition History
Bach's wife, Anna Magdalena, copied the central lullaby 'Schlummert ein' from 'Ich habe genug' into her notebook, suggesting a possible domestic performance of the cantata in the Bach household.
Interpretation
The version of 'Ich habe genug' performed on this recording replaces the original bass and oboe with soprano and flute, and is transposed from C minor to E minor, resulting in a brighter sound.
