J.S. Bach: The Church Cantatas, Vol. 11: Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, BWV 76

BWV 76 was performed on 6 June 1723 and was Bach’s second Leipzig cantata. The opening chorus based on Psalm 19 tells of the greatness of God’s creation. After a lively opening section a splendid fugue starts. It begins with the soloists; the moment when the choir takes over is very effective, as is the entrance of the trumpet as fifth part. The whole framework is so complex and varied that one loses all hope of ever being able to follow it all. A tenor recitative is next, with a beautiful arioso, and then a soprano aria, with a fine dialogue between different motives; the `hört ihr Völker’ motive sounds all through this number, the word `eilt’ as always is set to hurrying music. A bass recitative sings of the power of evil, another moment of hurry coming on the word `laufen’. This idea is extended in the bass aria `Fahr hin’ with a strong trumpet solo. There is another recitative and then a superb chorale, with trumpet and violin preparing for the chorale lines in sliding movements. The second part