In the summer/autumn of 1726, Johann Sebastian Bach composed three solo cantatas for alto within a period of three months. It seems likely that at this time Bach had a particularly talented alto singer in his ranks. However, it is not known who this person was. It was probably a young singer who performed the pieces in falsetto, thus corresponding, as Benno Schachtner notes, to the type of singer we now refer to as a countertenor. All three cantatas also feature the innovation of the obbligato organ. Usually relegated to playing the basso continuo in cantatas, Bach elevates it here to a solo instrument that competes on equal terms sometimes with the orchestra, sometimes with just a soloist. The Collegium 1704, conducted by VÃ¡clav Luks, recorded this album at Bach's place of work, St Thomas' Church in Leipzig. And so, as a special highlight, the 'Bach organ' built there in 2000 is heard as the solo instrument. It's sound and construction are entirely geared towards presenting Bach's works in the most ideal manner.

Tracklist:

Bach: Geist Und Seele Wird Verwirret, BWV 35: No. 1, Concerto
Bach: Geist Und Seele Wird Verwirret, BWV 35: No. 2, Aria. Geist Und Seele Wird Verwirret
Bach: Geist Und Seele Wird Verwirret, BWV 35: No. 3, Recitativo. Ich Wundre Mich
Bach: Geist Und Seele Wird Verwirret, BWV 35: No. 4, Aria. Gott Hat Alles Wohl Gemacht
Bach: Geist Und Seele Wird Verwirret, BWV 35: No. 5, Sinfonia
Bach: Geist Und Seele Wird Verwirret, BWV 35: No. 6, Recitativo. Ach, Starker Gott
Bach: Geist Und Seele Wird Verwirret, BWV 35: No. 7, Aria. Ich WÃ¼nsche Nur
Bach: VergnÃ¼gte Ruh, Beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170: No. 1, Aria. VergnÃ¼gte Ruh, Beliebte Seelenlust
Bach: VergnÃ¼gte Ruh, Beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170: No. 2, Recitativo. Die Welt, Das SÃ¼ndenhaus
Bach: VergnÃ¼gte Ruh, Beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170: No. 3, Aria. Wie Jammern Mich Doch Die Verkehrten Herzen
Bach: VergnÃ¼gte Ruh, Beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170: No. 4, Recitativo. Wer Sollte Sich Demnach
Bach: VergnÃ¼gte Ruh, Beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170: No. 5, Aria. Mir Ekelt Mehr Zu Leben
Bach: Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben, BWV 169: No. 1, Sinfonia
Bach: Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben, BWV 169: No. 2, Arioso. Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben
Bach: Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben, BWV 169: No. 3, Aria. Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben
Bach: Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben, BWV 169: No. 4, Recitativo. Was Ist Die Liebe Gottes?
Bach: Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben, BWV 169: No. 5, Aria. Stirb in Mir, Welt
Bach: Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben, BWV 169: No. 6, Recitativo. Doch Meint Es Auch Dabei
Bach: Gott Soll Allein Mein Herze Haben, BWV 169: No. 7, Choral Du SÃ¼ÃŸe Liebe, Schenk Uns Deine Gunst

UPC: 3149020958872
Label: Glossa
Release Date: 9.4.26
Format: CD

[PRE-ORDER] Collegium1704 / Luks, Vaclav - Bach: Cantatas for Alto (CD)