Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Johann Sebastian Bach's sacred music with this exquisite collection, released on November 25, 2005, under Warner Classics. Spanning a generous duration of 2 hours and 4 minutes, this album is a comprehensive journey through Bach's cantatas, motets, and chorales, meticulously curated for the Advent and Christmas seasons.
The album opens with the enchanting Cantata No. 147, "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben," a work that showcases Bach's mastery of choral writing and his profound spiritual insight. Following this, the six motets are performed with a level of precision and passion that brings out the full emotional depth of these sacred works. The motets, including the renowned "Jesu, meine Freude" and "Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied," are presented in their entirety, offering a comprehensive exploration of Bach's choral artistry.
The collection also features a selection of chorales and chorale preludes, performed with sensitivity and technical brilliance. These pieces, drawn from Bach's "Das Orgel-Büchlein" and other sources, provide a glimpse into the composer's deep reverence for the Lutheran liturgy and his ability to distill complex theological concepts into simple, yet profound musical expressions.
This album is a testament to the enduring power of Bach's music, offering a rich and varied listening experience that is both spiritually uplifting and musically satisfying. Whether you are a seasoned Bach enthusiast or a newcomer to his music, this collection is sure to captivate and inspire.
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 1, Chor. "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben"Johann Sebastian Bach, Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Ian Hare, John Wilbraham, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 2, Rezitativ. "Gebenedeiter Mund!"Johann Sebastian Bach, Elly Ameling/Dame Janet Baker/Ian Partridge/John Shirley-Quirk/King's College Choir, Cambridge/Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir David Willcocks, Ian Partridge, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 3, Aria. "Schäme dich, o Seele, nicht"Johann Sebastian Bach, Janet Baker, Ian Hare, Janet Craxton, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 4, Rezitativ. "Verstockung kann Gewaltige verblenden"Johann Sebastian Bach, Elly Ameling/Dame Janet Baker/Ian Partridge/John Shirley-Quirk/King's College Choir, Cambridge/Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir David Willcocks, Ian Hare, John Shirley-Quirk, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 5, Aria. "Bereite dir, Jesu, noch itzo die Bahn"Johann Sebastian Bach, Elly Ameling/Dame Janet Baker/Ian Partridge/John Shirley-Quirk/King's College Choir, Cambridge/Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir David Willcocks, Elly Ameling, Ian Hare, Iona Brown, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 6, Choral. "Wohl mir, daß ich Jesum habe"Johann Sebastian Bach, Elly Ameling/Dame Janet Baker/Ian Partridge/John Shirley-Quirk/King's College Choir, Cambridge/Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir David Willcocks, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 7, Aria. "Hilf, Jesu, hilf, daß ich auch dich bekenne"Johann Sebastian Bach, Elly Ameling/Dame Janet Baker/Ian Partridge/John Shirley-Quirk/King's College Choir, Cambridge/Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir David Willcocks, Ian Hare, Ian Partridge, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 8, Rezitativ. "Der höchsten Allmacht Wunderhand"Johann Sebastian Bach, Elly Ameling/Dame Janet Baker/Ian Partridge/John Shirley-Quirk/King's College Choir, Cambridge/Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir David Willcocks, Janet Craxton, Michael Winfield, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 9, Aria. "Ich will von Jesu Wundern singen"Johann Sebastian Bach, Elly Ameling/Dame Janet Baker/Ian Partridge/John Shirley-Quirk/King's College Choir, Cambridge/Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir David Willcocks, Ian Hare, John Shirley-Quirk, John Wilbraham, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 10, Choral. "Jesus bleibet meine Freude"Johann Sebastian Bach, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140: No. 1, Chor. "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Schübler Chorale: No. 1, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Schwingt freudig euch empor, BWV 36: No. 2, Choral. "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: 18 Chorale Preludes "Leipzig Chorals": No. 9, Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104: No. 6, Choral. "Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Choral Preludes from the Kirnberger Collection: No. 22, Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 711Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 121: No. 1, Chor. "Christum wir sollen loben schon"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Das Orgel-Büchlein: No. 13, Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 611Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe, BWV 22: No. 5, Choral. "Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottessohn"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Das Orgel-Büchlein: No. 3, Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, BWV 601Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: Cantata for the First Day of Christmas, No. 9 Chorale "Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her" (Chorus)Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Vom Himmel hoch, do komm ich her, BWV 700Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Süsser Trost, mein Jesus kömmt, BWV 151: No. 5, Choral. "Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Das Orgel-Büchlein: No. 11, Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BWV 609Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: I. Jesu, meine FreudeJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Das Orgel-Büchlein: No. 12, Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 610Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BWV 294Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Das Orgel-Büchlein: No. 7, Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BWV 605Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Dazu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes, BWV 40: No. 3, Choral. "Wir Christenleut"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Das Orgel-Büchlein: No. 14, Wir Christenleut, BWV 612Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65: No. 2, Choral. "Puer natus in Bethlehem"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Das Orgel-Büchlein: No. 5, Puer natus in Bethlehem, BWV 603Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: In dulci jubilo, BWV 368Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: In dulci jubilo, BWV 729Johann Sebastian Bach, Andrew Davis
Bach, JS: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225: I. Singet dem Herrn ein neues LiedJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225: II. Wie sich ein Vater erbarmetJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225: III. Lobet den Herrn in seinen TatenJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226: I. Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit aufJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226: II. Der aber die Herzen forschetJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226: III. Du heilige BrunstJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: I. Jesu, meine FreudeJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: II. Es ist nun nichtsJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: III. Unter deinem SchirmenJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: IV. Denn das GesetzJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: V. Trotz dem alten DrachenJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: VI. Ihr aber seid nicht fleischlichJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: VII. Weg mit allen SchätzenJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: VIII. So aber Christus in euch istJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: IX. Gute nacht, o WesenJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Bach, JS: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227: X. So nun der GeistJohann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks