J.S. Bach: Cantata No. 11

J.S. Bach: Cantata No. 11

To end the week on an upbeat, let’s have a group sing. Here is the opening chorus from Bach’s Cantata No. 11. It is from the marvelous complete cantata recordings by Gustave Leonhardt and Nicholas Harnoncourt. I had the good fortune of participating in masterclasses...
J.S. Bach: Mein Leben hat kein ander Ziel

J.S. Bach: Mein Leben hat kein ander Ziel

Continuing our quick survey of J.S. Bach, here is another cantata aria. It is really chamber music. The countertenor’s expressive part is underpinned by an incredible duet between the organ and oboe, creating a kind of trio sonata. The mastery of counterpoint is...
J.S. Bach:  Tief gebuckt und voller Reue

J.S. Bach: Tief gebuckt und voller Reue

Today let’s revisit Bach’s Cantata No.199. It’s a favorite of sopranos, for the obvious reason of the absolute beauty and gentleness of the central aria “Tief gebuckt und voller Reue”.  In the best Lutheran tradition, the text addresses God, admitting guilt and...
J.S. Bach: Bist Du Bei Mir

J.S. Bach: Bist Du Bei Mir

I’m surveying some of my favorite Bach this week. I won’t be able to make a dent in the 250 surviving Cantatas, Oratorios, Masses, or Passions, alas. It’s true that most of Bach’s vocal output is liturgical. There are exceptions:  The Coffee Cantata, the Hunt Cantata,...