The Bach Cantatas

[hautbois]

Can anyone point out which of the cantatas contain the most beautiful oboe obbligato arias or sinfonias?

Howard

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Can anyone point out which of the cantatas contain the most beautiful oboe obbligato arias or sinfonias?

Howard

In BWV 183, in the soprano aria, the obbligato is taken up by a pair of oboe da caccia played in unison. Quite distinctive sounding instruments, these particular oboes are - burnished and woodsy. Makes for a very colorful backdrop.

[FideLeo]

Can anyone point out which of the cantatas contain the most beautiful oboe obbligato arias or sinfonias?

Howard

BWV56 also contains a beautiful part for oboe d'amore (?) solo.

[SonicMan46]

Hello all!    A thread on Hanssler offerings @ BRO led me to peruse the discs available - attached are two Bach Cantata packages by Rilling - each has 4 CDs (about $16 per package) - I would be interested in any comments; I have only one disc of Rilling in this repertoire which is fine - thanks - 

[LVB_opus.125]

Coffee Cantata, anyone? A great recording is what I seek!

[Que]

Coffee Cantata, anyone? A great recording is what I seek!

Gustav Leonhardt with Barbara Bonney & Christophe Prégardien et al:



If you can find it, since it is OOP - sorry about that...

Here's a list of all recordings.

I also like Harnoncourt (Warner/Teldec), which is less elegant but more spicey, less adequately sung.
And of course there is the older, somewhat out-dated recording with the enticing Elly Ameling and the Collegium Aureum (DHM)

Q

[71 dB]

Coffee Cantata, anyone? A great recording is what I seek!

Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki / BIS CD 1411

[LVB_opus.125]

Thanks for the recommendations. Btw, this thread is a real treasure. Ever since I made that 'Bach starter kit' thread way back in 10/07, I have been listening to Bach just about every day. He's already replaced Beethoven as my favorite composer. The cantatas are what I am really enjoying right now. The 'coffee cantata' is a real pleasure, even if the subject matter is less than profound. To those that recommended #21, thank you. I gave it another listen and was captivated.

[SonicMan46]

Well a few posts back (#170), I asked about the Rilling recordings now @ BRO - two special packages of 4 CDs each of the Bach Easter & Christmas Cantatas - decided to make an order which arrived yesterday - just starting the Easter Cantatas; these are packaged as 4 discs in a 2-CD double jewel box, but my only disappointment is the booklet is minimalist, just listing the names & movements - stated that a more complete booklet can be downloaded from the Hanssler web site but I could not easily locate a link (sent them an e-mail yesterday) - guess I may have to obtain a book on these works (believe Q recommended one a while back)!

So far, these performances are a quite enjoyable listen, esp. for the BRO price paid, i.e. total of 8 CDs for $32! 

[Marc]

Can anyone point out which of the cantatas contain the most beautiful oboe obbligato arias or sinfonias?

To me, this must be one of the most difficult questions to answer!
Why? Because I think that Bach and the oboe is a continuous love story.

Here are three that quickly came to my mind:
BWV 44, Aria "Christen müssen auf der Erden" (Alto and oboe obbligato -> typical Bach aria: which is the leading part?).
BWV 84, Opening aria "Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke" (soprano and oboe obbligato: about real happiness).
BWV 125, Aria "Ich will auch mit gebrochnen Augen" (for alto, flauto traverso and oboe d'amore. No words can describe this one: listen to it, play it, get mesmerized!).

[(poco) Sforzando]

My definite favorite as well and a deeply moving and profound work, but I wasn't aware of the circumstances of its writing. Thank you.

Neither was I. I would really like some documentation for this claim, as I have not found any confirmation for it. The cantata as far as I can tell was written for the Third Sunday after Trinity and I have not seen any other evidence that would lead me to believe it had any personal overtones.

[Opus106]

Pardon me for the slightly off-topic question but, do the cantata numbers and BWV numbers coincide?

[prémont]

Pardon me for the slightly off-topic question but, do the cantata numbers and BWV numbers coincide?

Yes, fortunately they do.

[Opus106]

Yes, fortunately they do.

Great! Thanks. 


P.S.: I just noticed that I can quote messages directly into the quick reply box with a click. I'd say that's even greater!

[(poco) Sforzando]

Yes, fortunately they do.

But what the BWV order signifies is something I've never understood. The cantatas are not arranged chronologically, or according to the liturgical year, or according to any generic features like instrumentation and/or vocal forces employed. (Here and there you find a few solo cantatas close together in BWV sequence.) Otherwise I can make no sense of the ordering.

[Marc]

But what the BWV order signifies is something I've never understood. The cantatas are not arranged chronologically, or according to the liturgical year, or according to any generic features like instrumentation and/or vocal forces employed. (Here and there you find a few solo cantatas close together in BWV sequence.) Otherwise I can make no sense of the ordering.

I'm not sure about the real story behind this, but I've read somewhere that the story started in 1850, when the Bach Gesellschaft was founded, 100 years after Bach's death.
This Gesellschaft wanted to publish all Bach's compositions. Because of their significance, they started with the vocal works. From the cantates that were already published, they chose a selection of ten varied cantatas they liked (BWV 1-10).
After that decision, they wanted to publish the cantatas of which they were sure they were really composed by Bach.
100 years later, in 1950, Wolfgang Schmieder used this same method for his BWV-catalogue.
After 1950 we learned a lot more about the sequence and authorship of the cantates. Especially Bach-scholar Alfred Dürr was very important in this research.

Dunno if this is all true, but at least it looks something like an explanation.

[Anne]

Is there a cantata titled "Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring" or similar?  If so, will someone tell me the number, please? 

[mn dave]

Is there a cantata titled "Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring" or similar?  If so, will someone tell me the number, please? 

BWV 147

[71 dB]

Is there a cantata titled "Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring" or similar?  If so, will someone tell me the number, please? 

"Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben", BWV 147

[prémont]

I'm not sure about the real story behind this, but I've read somewhere that the story started in 1850, when the Bach Gesellschaft was founded, 100 years after Bach's death.
This Gesellschaft wanted to publish all Bach's compositions. Because of their significance, they started with the vocal works. From the cantates that were already published, they chose a selection of ten varied cantatas they liked (BWV 1-10).
After that decision, they wanted to publish the cantatas of which they were sure they were really composed by Bach.
100 years later, in 1950, Wolfgang Schmieder used this same method for his BWV-catalogue.
After 1950 we learned a lot more about the sequence and authorship of the cantates. Especially Bach-scholar Alfred Dürr was very important in this research.

Dunno if this is all true, but at least it looks something like an explanation.

Obviously W. Schmieder did not intend the BWV numbering to be in chronological order. Neither are the organ works, chamber works or anything else. And the exact chronological order of many of the works is even unknown.