Bach: Motetten

Featuring

Howard Arman
Günter Holzhausen
Max Hanft
Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Performer Biography

The Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, founded in 1946, is highly regarded worldwide for its homogeneous sound and stylistic versatility, performing everything from medieval motets to contemporary works.

Critical Reception

Bach's motets, unlike most of his other works, have always remained in the repertoire, which is astonishing as they were not written for church services.

Composition History

The motet Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (BWV 226) is the only one that can be precisely dated, as Bach noted on the score it was for the burial of Professor and Rector Ernesti, who died in 1729.

Compositional Technique

The motet Jesu, meine Freude (BWV 227) features a completely symmetrical structure, framed by two identical chorale movements, with the most significant movement, a fugue, placed precisely in the middle.

Performer Biography

Howard Arman, the conductor, has been the Artistic Director of the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks since 2016 and is known for his versatility across all epochs and genres of classical music.

Compositional Technique

Bach's motets combine various compositional techniques, including counterpoint, concertato, chorale settings, and double choirs, resulting in expressive and timeless artworks.