J.S. Bach: O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 20 - The Church Cantatas, Vol. 115

Cantata 20 ‘O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort’ for the 1st Sunday after Trinity, 11 June 1724, has the same opening text and chorale melody as Cantata 60 of the same name. With its length of some thirty minutes Cantata 20 is composed on a grander scale than the average cantata. Indeed, this was the first work in a new cycle, and that is the reason why it is conceived in two parts, for before and after the sermon, with a total of eleven movements. Bach gave the opening chorus a genuine introductory character by composing a sweeping French overture. The tenor aria contains striking examples of text illustration: the words ‘Ewigkeit’ and ‘ewig’ are translated into long held notes, and ‘Flammen’ is set to rising and falling coloratura figures. In the aria no. 8 we are woken up by the bass and trumpet with the words ‘Wacht auf, wacht auf’. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Artists: Netherlands Bach Collegium, Pieter Jan Leusink (conductor), Holland Boys Choir, Knut Schoch (Tenore), Bas Ramselaar (Basso) & Syts