Thirteen of Bach's cantatas, including those on this album, directly resulted from his interest in Lutheran chorales, which were considered antiquated even in his time.
Composer Biography
Johann Sebastian Bach was primarily an organist, not only by training but also in his self-perception as a musician.
Composition History
Bach composed and performed around 200 church cantatas, with the majority written in Leipzig between 1723 and the early 1740s.
Interpretation
The performers on this album approach secco recitatives by performing them either consistently long or consistently short within a single cantata, avoiding subtle distinctions often made in modern rehearsals.
Historical Context
In Leipzig, Bach faced the challenge of working with a heterogeneous ensemble of city musicians, choir pupils, and students, rather than professional court musicians he had in Weimar and Cöthen.
Recording & Production
The album is a co-production between Deutschlandradio and Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH, in cooperation with Deutschlandfunk.
Interpretation
This recording uses an organ that approximates the size of the Brustwerk (a type of organ division) available to Bach in Leipzig, making it a central and significant part of the performance.
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