Most of Bach's cantatas were composed between 1723 and 1735 during his first phase as cantor of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig.
Performer Biography
Jadwiga Rappé, the alto soloist on this album, won First Prize at the International Bach Competition in Leipzig in 1980 and a gold medal at the Young Soloists Festival in Bordeaux in 1981.
Composition History
Bach's cantatas were typically created for a specific need, usually performed only once, and their use outside the Protestant church was not considered in his time.
Historical Context
In Bach's era, vocal soprano and alto parts in cantatas were sung by boys or high male voices, as solo women's voices were not permitted in Protestant churches.
Composer Biography
Bach is believed to have composed around 300 cantatas, though only about 200 are known today, with some attributions remaining doubtful.
Interpretation
CONCERTO AVENNA, the ensemble on this recording, specializes in Baroque music, combining period-typical articulation and dynamics with contemporary instruments for unique artistic effects.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Johann Sebastian Bach's church cantatas are considered the most splendid musical interpretation of the Bible in its Protestant, German, and Lutheran form.
