Consoling the soul

This cantata was originally composed for the second Sunday after Epiphany in 1716, during Bach’s Weimar years, and was then given a second performance in Leipzig in 1724. Consistent with its Weimar origins, it’s scored for reduced forces: four solo voices, strings and continuo, with the notable (and delightful) addition of a solo bassoon, probably […]

Keyboard Partita No. 4

In keeping with the principle of adding variety to his six partitas in Part I of the Clavier-Übung, Bach labeled “Ouverture” the first movement of Partita 4. This highlights the internal structure of the movement, which opens in the traditional French overture style (cut time, dotted rhythms, abundant ornaments and dramatic, fast runs up and […]

An anxious search

Cantata 154, for the first Sunday after Epiphany, was performed in 1724 and also much later in 1736. Scholars believe that it may have originated, at least partially, in Weimar, although there is no conclusive evidence to back this up. The Gospel for this Sunday is Luke 2: 41-52. It narrates the story of the […]