In our fourth episode, Christian introduces the opening of the Magnificat. No expense was spared in Bach’s triumphant and expressive Magnificat, including a force of three trumpets and timpani. Christian uses the Magnificat opening to introduce the baroque trumpet, an instrument very different from the modern-day version.

Magnificat: https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-243/

In our third episode, Alex introduces one of Bach's most beloved church cantatas: "Wachet auf" -- "Wake up!" The watchmen on the tower are calling! At a certain magical moment, Bach removes the bass instruments so we can hear the bright, ringing voices announcing that Christ is coming to the world. Alex also describes the beauty of the rest of the cantata, with audio examples from the Netherlands Bach Society's performance.

BWV 140 opening chorale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqZE54i-muE

In our second episode, Christian introduces the royal processional of the cantata Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland. We celebrate the launch of the podcast with this cantata for the new church year, an early Bach work. But the "moment" is hidden later on, where the young Bach uses an experimental sound: a knock at the door from plucked strings with an unresolved harmony. The voice of Jesus sings "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

BWV 61 bass recitative: https://youtu.be/MzWJsRjanC4?t=571

In our first episode, Alex introduces a triumphant moment near the end of the "Dona nobis pacem" from the monumental Mass in B Minor, and we introduce the audio centerpiece of our podcast: the Netherlands Bach Society and their "All of Bach" project. But first, we discuss the question at the heart of the show's premise: "Why Bach?"

Dona nobis pacem: https://youtu.be/3FLbiDrn8IE?t=6315

Artwork: Sydney LaCom

Welcome to A Moment of Bach, where we break down our favorite moments from J. S. Bach's vast output. Join hosts Alex Guebert and Christian Guebert for weekly moments! Ep. 1 launches on 1/25/2021.

Recordings provided by the Netherlands Bach Society's All of Bach project.

https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/allofbach 

Artwork: Sydney LaCom