Bach, J.S.: Magnificat in D Major, Bwv 243 / Ich Habe Genug, Bwv 82

Featuring

Nicholas Ward
Anna Markland-Crookes
Jayne Whitaker
Caroline Trevor
Timothy Robinson
Nicholas Gedge

Northern Chamber Orchestra
Schola Cantorum of Oxford
Johann Sebastian Bach

Did you know?

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Performer Biography

Nicholas Ward, the conductor of the Northern Chamber Orchestra, is the son of parents who met as members of the Hallé Orchestra and became co-leader of the City of London Sinfonia before leading the Northern Chamber Orchestra.

Compositional Technique

Cantata 82 is written entirely for one soloist, a bass voice in its original version, accompanied by strings and an oboe, showcasing Bach's artistry in a chamber music style.

Compositional Technique

Bach's Magnificat uses a large-scale approach, with no recitative and an unusually rich scoring including three trumpets, two flutes, two oboes, strings, continuo, and timpani.

Composition History

Cantata 82, "Ich habe genug," was written for the Feast of the Purification in 1727 and reflects on approaching death, moving from resignation to joy at the prospect of eternal life.

Performer Biography

Schola Cantorum of Oxford, the chamber choir on this recording, was founded in 1960 by Hungarian dissident László Heltay, and its former members include Emma Kirkby and Jane Glover.

Composition History

J. S. Bach took up the post of Kantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig in 1723, where both the Magnificat and Cantata 82 received their first performances.

Compositional Technique

In the Magnificat, Bach uses the full five-part choir to demonstrate "Omnes generationes" (All generations) and soloists for more reflective movements, with the opening material returning for "Sicut erat in principio" (As it was in the beginning).