The Good Shepherd calls

This cantata was composed for May 22, 1725 which was Whit Tuesday, i.e. the Tuesday after Pentecost.  Its second performance on June 1st, 1727 is what puts it on our calendar to listen to, as part of Bach’s 4th year in Leipzig.  The libretto is by Christiane Mariane von Ziegler, who collaborated with Bach on […]

The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II

The second “Well-Tempered Clavier” collection dates from quite late in Bach’s life – around 1740.   Like its predecessor, Book I from 1722, it contains one prelude and fugue in each of the major and minor keys, for a total of 24 sets.  There are two versions of Book II, the second of which is considered […]

Academic glory

As was usually the case for secular cantatas, this one is scored for large forces.  3 trumpets, timpani, 3 oboes (2 d’amore and one taille, or alto oboe), strings and basso continuo, plus a 4-part choir and 4 vocal soloists.   It was performed on December 11th, 1726, probably in one of the buildings of the […]