Christoph Spering, the conductor, emphasizes the importance of regarding Bach as an organist and granting the organ its due privileged position in his cantatas, often with a deep, solemn 16-foot fundament.
Performer Biography
Das Neue Orchester, founded by Christoph Spering in 1988, was the first German ensemble to apply historically informed performance practices to Romantic-era music.
Compositional Technique
Bach's solo cantatas, like those on this album, are a special area within his cantata oeuvre, characterized by prominent solo instruments (violin, oboe) and exceptionally demanding, often virtuosic vocal lines.
Interpretation
The conductor, Christoph Spering, believes that all pieces within a cohesive work by Bach should be performed with a single, immanent basic tempo or pulse, rather than varying interpretations like a 'lullaby' or 'lively dance'.
Performer Biography
Thomas E. Bauer, the bass soloist, received his earliest musical training with the Regensburg Domspatzen, a renowned German boys' choir.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Christoph Spering, the conductor, aims to honor Bach by intensely tracing his compositional and interpretative intentions, including the number of performers Bach described in his 1730 'Kurtzer, iedoch höchstnöthiger Entwurff einer wohlbestallten Kirchen Music…'.
Interpretation
This recording intentionally features both long and short recitative accompaniments, reflecting that Bach himself did not adhere to a single norm, but adapted interpretations to the work's content and his available ensemble.
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