Oxford Bach Soloist’s recent performance of one of JS Bach’s most dramatic cantatas calls us to ‘Resist Sin’!
Alongside this cantata are three of Bach’s motets. The motet arose in the 13th century from the organum tradition, but in the 18th century, Bach developed the form into moving liturgical works using German texts on sacred themes for choir and basso continuo – and often used for performance at funerals.
It is uncertain how many motets Bach actually wrote as several have been lost. There are also some doubtful attributions among the surviving ones – including the first one in this programme, Ich lassedich nicht which for many years was attributed to Bach’s cousin, Johann Christoph Bach.
Bach’s single movement Kyrie was reworked in 1730 as the opening chorus of his Lutheran Mass in F Major. This is a wonderful concert opener with its 5 part vocal texture supported by basso continuo and might date back to one of Bach’s earliest works from his days in Mühlhausen in 1707 and 1708.
