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BWV176 (27 May, 1725) opens with one of those amazing Bach fugues which you cannot get out of your head after hearing them. The word `trotzig’ is angrily repeated. Before we realize it the number finishes. The alto takes over, singing about the contrast between Nicodemus who could not wait for the sun to go down so he could speak to the Lord in the dark, and Joshua who asked the sun to stand still so he could complete his victory over the enemies. An absolutely delightful soprano aria follows, once again a dance (Gavotte), in which the violins illustrate the `hell beliebter Schein’, even though the text explains that this light is clouded over. To the bass recitative Bach himself added the words from John 3:16. Another glorious aria follows in which the unutterably beautiful melody displays the rich blessings of the life to come. A fine chorale rounds off this impressive work. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Artists: Netherlands Bach Collegium, Pieter Jan Leusink (conductor), Holland Boys Choir, Syt
