A Bach Listening Journal (3/N): BWV 10, 30, 54, 66

Continuing my journey through Bach’s sacred cantatas. You can find more of my favorites in this YouTube Music playlist.

BWV 10/2

This cantata was written for the Feast of the Visitation, commemorating Mary’s visit to her relative Elizabeth while both were expecting their extraordinary sons—Jesus and John the Baptist. The soprano aria in the second movement is wonderfully light and buoyant.

BWV 30/5

A long instrumental introduction followed by a beautiful alto aria.

BWV 54/1

The theme of this cantata is resisting sin (Widerstehe doch der Sünde). The opening dissonant chord is quite startling. One of the top comments under this video made me laugh:

After listening to this piece I feel like I have no choice but to try hard to wiederstehen meiner Sünde.

I actually discovered this work through the piano transcription by Víkingur Ólafsson before hearing Bach’s original version. The piano arrangement has a unique charm of its own. I can’t help wondering what Bach would think if he could hear a modern concert grand—and what kind of piano music he might have written for it.

BWV 66/1

The opening movement follows an A–B–A structure. The middle section turns dark and sorrowful, while the opening and closing sections are grand and triumphant. The orchestra and choir enter one after another, building layer upon layer of momentum. It’s an irresistibly festive celebration.