Bach : Motets

CD1

1. 1 Komm, Jesu, komm bwv229
2. 2 O Jesu Christ, mein’s Lebens Licht
3. Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf bwv226
4. Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden bwv230
5. Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren bwv231
6. Der Gerechte kommt um (attrib. Kuhnau/Bach)
7. Fürchte dich nicht bwv228

CD2

1. Jesu, meine Freude bwv227
2. Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied bwv225
3. Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft bwv50

Taken together these motets and quasi-motets form one of the peaks of Bach's art as a composer of choral music. Compressed and complex, they make enormous demands on performers, requiring exceptional virtuosity, stamina and sensitivity to abrupt changes of mood and texture. Bach’s characteristically skilful use of fugue, canon and counterpoint makes this music endlessly fascinating, but most of all these are works of emotional power, revealing Bach's compassionate nature, the dancing joy he takes in praising God, and his total certainty as he contemplates death. John Eliot Gardiner’s extraordinary technical and interpretative skills ensure recognition of the motets and cantatas as some of the best of Bach.