The Collegium Vocale Gent, founded in 1970 by Philippe Herreweghe, was one of the first ensembles to apply new Baroque performance principles to vocal music, achieving international recognition.
Composer Biography
Bach was deeply attached to Cantata BWV 21, reusing it regularly and even performing it in Leipzig, showing his continued passion for North German music and Buxtehude.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach's constant musical synthesis, particularly in his cantatas, was always aimed at one overarching goal: to glorify God.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata output, spanning from 1707/8 to the 1740s, is considered an encyclopedia of Baroque music due to its variety of aesthetics, styles, genres, forms, and performing forces.
Composition History
Upon his arrival in Leipzig in 1723, Bach made a striking impact with his first two cantatas, BWV 75 and BWV 76, which showcased a new level of musical refinement and formal balance.
Composition History
Bach's cantata compositions were ultimately subordinated to the liturgical calendar, with the expression of his personal faith being the most intimate component of his compositional drive.
Compositional Technique
Cantata BWV 21, first performed in 1714, is a hybrid masterpiece from Bach's experimental years in Weimar, blending North German heritage with modern elements from his instrumental music explorations.
