Bach and the Cantatas
Opening Concert of Bach Week
J.S. Bach
Hedvig Paulig, soprano
Ruut Mattila, alto
Niilo Erkkilä, tenor
Veikko Vallinoja, bass
Cantores Minores
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
Hannu Norjanen, conductor
In the works of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), the cantata holds a central place. He composed them in abundance throughout different stages of his career. Cantatas were written for various feast days and occasions of the church year, serving both sacred and secular purposes. Around 190 of Bach’s sacred cantatas have survived. The cantata originated in Italy, drawing on elements of opera and oratorio, and in Germany it became an integral part of church services.
The cantata Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir (BWV 131) dates from Bach’s time as an organist in Mühlhausen (1707–1708), where he composed his first cantatas. BWV 131 was not written for a specific Sunday in the church year. Its theme is one of repentance and a plea for God’s help amid suffering.
The cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (BWV 147) underwent revisions over a period of fifteen years. Bach first composed it in 1716 in Weimar for the fourth Sunday of Advent. Soon after, he moved to Köthen as Kapellmeister, but because the court there was Calvinist, cantatas were not performed.
In 1723, when Bach became cantor in Leipzig, he reworked and expanded the cantata. Its final chorale settings have become some of Bach’s most famous and frequently performed music. The chorale melody is based on a hymn by Johann Schop, which also appears in the Finnish hymnal as number 536, “Kristus valo, valkeuden” (“Christ, Light of the World”).
Duration: 1 h (no intermission)
Tickets 35 € (normal), 25 € (discount groups): Ticketmaster's points of purchase and ticketmaster.fi
Ticket inquiries: lippu (at) fibo.fi