Johann Sebastian Bach, as Cantor of St. Thomas's School and Leipzig's Director Musices, was responsible for music in four principal churches and for special occasions.
Performer Biography
The Sixteen, the vocal ensemble on this recording, is recognized as one of the world's greatest vocal ensembles, known for early English polyphony, Renaissance masterpieces, and 20th-century music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Many of Bach's Weimar cantatas feature texts by court poet Salomo Franck, whose Pietistic inclinations emphasizing subjectivity and preoccupation with death drew fervent musical responses from Bach.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in 1990 after a BBC Proms appearance where The Sixteen performed Bach's cantatas at the Royal Albert Hall.
Performer Biography
Mark Padmore and Christopher Purves, now enjoying successful solo careers, sang with The Sixteen for many years after joining straight from university.
Composition History
Bach assembled three to five complete annual cycles of cantatas for the church year between 1723 and the 1740s, which formed an integral part of Lutheran liturgy.
Recording & Production
The recording features guest leader Roy Goodman on violin, whose playing in the violin obbligato of Cantata 147's soprano aria is noted as exquisite.
You might also enjoy...
Bach et le temps liturgique: Arias pour soprano et chorals pour orgue
