The Liturgical Year with J.S. Bach, Vol. 6: The Ascension

Featuring

Georg Christoph Biller
Martin Petzold
Matthias Weichert
Christoph Genz
Stefan Kahle
Johannes Hildebrandt

Gotthold Schwarz
Jakob Wetzig
Florilegium
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Thomanerchor Leipzig
Anonymous
Johann Sebastian Bach

Did you know?

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Album & Artwork

This album is part of a ten-disc series celebrating the liturgical year, covering feasts like Advent, Christmas, and Easter.

Interpretation

Thomaskantor Georg Christoph Biller, the conductor, precedes each cantata with a hymn from the 'Florilegium selectissimorum Hymnorum' collection, a practice common in Bach's time.

Historical Context

The Feast of the Ascension, traditionally celebrated 40 days after Easter, marks Christ's farewell from his apostles and the sending out of the apostles as witnesses.

Performer Biography

The Gewandhausorchester, accompanying the choir, has a history spanning over 250 years and has premiered works by Beethoven, Wagner, and Brahms.

Interpretation

The soprano and alto solos in these cantatas are performed by boys from St. Thomas's Boys Choir, reflecting the composer's original intention.

Composition History

Johann Sebastian Bach composed a new cantata for the Feast of the Ascension in each of his first three years as cantor at St. Thomas Leipzig.

Performer Biography

The Thomanerchor Leipzig, which performs on this recording, celebrated its 800th anniversary in March 2012, making it Leipzig's oldest cultural institution.