JS Bach

One of Bach’s rarer latin settings and a cry for Mercy sets the scene for the dissonant opening to Bach’s Cantata calling us to ‘Resist Sin’. Dating from Bach’s days as court composer at the Schlosskirche (court chapel) of Weimar this is one of the composer’s more unusual works for solo alto.

The first of the three motets which follow also comes from Bach’s time at Weimar and tells the story of Jacob’s wrestling with the Angel. The second and third motets bring praise and light to the concert with the third being noted for its delicate and lightly-scored instrumental accompaniment.

Kyrie in F major BWV 233a
Cantata: Widerstehe doch der Sünde BWV 54
(Just resist sin)
Alto: William Purefoy
Motet: Ich lasse dich nicht BWV Anh. 159
(I will not let you go)
Motet: Komm, Jesu, komm BWV 229
(Come, Jesus, come)
Motet: Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden BWV 230
(Praise the Lord, all ye nations)