Soprano, ob (in lieu sop), cor anglais, bn/vc, keyboard/organ.
Score and Parts.
Composer: 1685-1750.
PP218 ISMN 979-0-57016-298-7 Score and parts
PP218V ISMN 979-0-57016-299-4 Vocal score
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685 and died in 1750. The details of his life and career are well documented, and his extensive and talented family continued the musical tradition into the next generation. During his professional career, Bach was organist in Arnstadt and later at the Weimar court, and Kapellmeister to the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen. But it was while in Leipzig as Cantor of St Thomas', that he produced most of his best-known church music. He was in Leipzig from 1723 until his death, producing a steady stream of cantatas for the church services, over two hundred in total. He also wrote motets, the Mass in B minor, Christmas Oratorio and the Passions, according to St John and St Matthew. His cantatas include many beautiful and moving arias for solo voice with one or more instrumental obbligati. This collection brings together three arias for soprano with cor anglais obbligato, from Cantata 1 (Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern), Cantata 74 (Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten) and Cantata 177 (Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ). These arias may now be performed as individual items, not only as part of the complete cantata.
The oboe has always been considered to be an instrument close to the human voice in its capacity for eloquent expression. In this collection, an oboe part has been supplied as a substitute for the soprano voice. The basso line being suitable for the basson, this allows for the arias to be played by a wind trio of oboe, cor anglais and bassoon. Flute or violin could also be substituted for the voice. The continuo part has been realised by L. Whitehead, and the bass can therefore be provided by keyboard or organ in addition to or instead of bassoon (or cello). Performance with voice can similarly be supported by bassoon or cello, with or without keyboard or organ, not forgetting the essential cor anglais. The music was set by C.M.M. Nex and F.H. Nex.
