VISION.BACH

VISION.BACH
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Cantatas from the 1st to 4th Sunday after Trinity of the 1st Leipzig year 1723

BWV 75 “Die Elenden sollen essen” (Cantata for the 1st Sunday after Trinity, Leipzig 30.5.1723)
BWV 76 “Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes” (Cantata for the 2nd Sunday after Trinity, Leipzig 6.6.1723)
BWV 21.3 “Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis” (Cantata for the 3rd Sunday after Trinity, Leipzig 13.6.1723)
BWV 24 “Ein ungefärbt Gemüte” (Cantata for the 4th Sunday after Trinity, Leipzig 20.6.1723)
BWV 185.2 “Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe” (Cantata for the 4th Sunday after Trinity, Leipzig 20.6.1723)

Gaechinger Cantorey
Hans-Christoph Rademann
Hänssler CLASSIC 2 CDs HC 23025

Johann Sebastian Bach arrived in Leipzig on May 22, 1723. He moved from his tranquil residence in Köthen to the lively trade fair and university city, where the Capellmeister now became, as he would later put it, a cantor.

A good week later, on May 30, 1723, Bach performed his first cantata. Sunday after Sunday, holiday after holiday, the Thomaskantor had to perform such pieces alternately in the churches of St. Nicolai and St. Thomas, with the exception of Lent before Easter and the Advent season. At his disposal were the musicians from the 55 St. Thomas’ students and eight instrumentalists paid by the city.

Talented students filled out the ensemble. They often came from far and wide to study, also to take part in Leipzig’s important musical tradition. Bach composed the cantatas himself. This was not part of his duties. However, it shows the passion and enthusiasm with which he approached his new task. Around sixty of the cantatas performed up to Trinity Sunday 1724 have been preserved: in addition to completely newly composed pieces, there are also pieces from Bach’s earlier stations, above all Mühlhausen and Weimar.

Juliane Laake has been a gambist with the Gaechinger Cantorey for many years and was the solo gambist for BWV 76 “Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes” on this recording.