Bach Ad Infinitum

We continue our chronological cantata cycle, which began with BWV 1. Each day, we play a cantata, followed by shorter instrumental and vocal works by J.S. Bach. Today, we begin with the Easter cantata Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen, BWV 66, composed in 1724.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

1. Cantata Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen, BWV 66, written for Easter Monday, 10 April 1724
   – Chorus: Erfreut Euch, Ihr Herzen, Entweichet, Ihr Schmerzen
   – Recitative: Es Bricht Das Grab Und Damit Unsre Not
   – Aria: Lasset Dem Höchsten Ein Danklied Erschallen
   – Recitative: Bei Jesu Leben Freudig Sein
   – Aria: Ich Furchte Zwar/Nicht Des Grabes Finsternissen
   – Chorale: Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja!
   Kai Wessel, alto; James Taylor, tenor; Peter Kooij, bass; Collegium Vocale Gent, conducted by Philippe Herreweghe

   Read more about cantata BWV 66 here and here.

2. Fugue in G minor, BWV 1000
   Evangelina Mascardi, lute
3. Sonata for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord in D major, BWV 1028
   – I. Adagio
   – II. Allegro
   – III. Andante
   – IV. Allegro
   Atsushi Sakai, viola da gamba; Christophe Rousset, harpsichord
4. From Köthener Trauermusik, BWV 1143 | 244a (reconstructed by Chad Kelly):
   – Aria: Bleibet nun in Eurer Ruh
   Jonathan Sells, bass; Solomon’s Knot

Photo: Atsushi Sakai (© Jean-Baptiste-Millot; source: singer-polignac.tv)