J. S. BACH

 

Purification Mass

 

Version for Alto of Cantata for Bass, BWV 82

 

Missa brevis in G minor, BWV 235

1. l Coro: Kyrie eleison

2. ll Coro: Gloria in excelsis

3. lll Aria: Gratias agimus tibi

4. lV Aria: Domine Fili

5. V Aria: Qui tollis

6. Vl Coro: Cum Sanco Spiritu

 

Ich habe genug, BWV 82 - alto version

7. l Aria: Ich habe genug

8. ll Recitativo: Ich habe genug

9. lll Aria: Schlummert ein

10. lV Recitativo: Mein Gott!

11. V Aria: Ich freue mich

12. Wir glauben alle an einen Gott, BWV 437

13. Sanctus in G Major, BWV 240

14. Agnus Dei - from BWV 232

15. Bekennen will ich seinen Namen, BWV 200

16. Mit Fried und Freud, BWV 382

 

La Tempesta / Jakub Burzynski

 

J. S. Bach wrote several cantatas for alto solo, however there is one that is rarely performed or recorded: the alto version of the famous bass cantata Ich habe genug BWV 82. Scored for voice, oboe and strings, the cantata consists of three arias which are completely different in character and expression, with two short recitatives between them. It was composed for the feast of Purification of Mary (2 February), and its text which incorporates the words of old Simeon to Mary about the coming of the Messiah, concentrates on the subject of welcoming death. Since the feast of Purification was one of the most solemn occasions in the Lutheran liturgical calendar, there is a strong argument in favour of completing the program with figural Latin mass parts, and this recording includes sections from other works in an attempt to re-create music for the full event.

 

The performers are the period instrument group La Tempesta under the artistic direction of Jakub Burzyński. Burzyński is also an excellent countertenor, and he takes one of the alto parts in this production. Other soloists include the soprano Julita Mirosławska, the tenor Mariusz Cyciura, and bass-baritone Artur Janda.

 

Arts SACD 477498