J.S Bach Cantata BWV 50 Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft und das Reich

The work opens with a strong declaration in unharmonized octaves between the bass voices of Choir I and the lower strings. Creating a feeling of rising excitement, the important words are emphasized on strong beats, each one higher in pitch than the previous. We can easily imagine ourselves walking up the stairs until we reach a higher plane of calm and peace. A joy-motif is combined with a motif of strength in the rhythm, which represents the defeat of Satan. The sopranos and the basses of Choir I begin the fugal theme, imitated by the other voices. Choir II bursts in with a great force upon their fugue. In the second section, the fugue is altered by the two choirs tossing fragments of their declamation back and forth between their sections. The two choirs unite finally to bring the movement to an impressive climax.

This is masterpiece of Bach's mature chorale writhing in motet style. There is a feeling of mystic power that makes it more than a hymn of triumph over the force of evil. It seems to be Bach's personal faith in God's supremacy. This is one of those pieces, which actually plays itself, reminding works like Ravel's Boléro. All the components that convey power and triumph and keep its momentum are already embedded in the work, even before the first note is played. Therefore it carries easily the message in every performance, almost never fails to sweep the listeners and uplift their spirit.

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Music

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• Bach Cantatas BWV 50

[treblechoir99]

@loupblanc26 C'est avec le Vienna Boys Choir(Harnoncourt, chef)

[loupblanc26]

Magnificent! Thanks this this divine video.  What's this choir?