Bach's Church Cantatas

Bach's Church Cantatas guides readers through five contrasting church cantatas, with movement-by-movement commentary and observations about Bach's responses to the texts, his musical construction, and their effects on the listener. With an overarching theme of Glory from the Gallery, Ruth Tatlow shows how Bach's stated aim to glorify God through his compositions was implemented in the cantatas. Written in non-technical language, this book is equally accessible for the expert and for those with no prior knowledge. Full of newly researched insights, it is generously illustrated with thirty-six figures and parallel German-English translations of the cantata texts.