Founded in 1850 to collect, edit, and publish all the known works of J. S. Bach, the renowned Bach-Gesellschaft devoted fifty years to its monumental task and produced the most accurate editions of Bach's music. At a much lower cost than the fantastically expensive original publication, this volume reproduces in full vocal and instrumental score eleven cantatas from the reliable Bach-Gesellschaft volumes.
Chosen on the basis of frequency of performance, teaching value, and sheer greatness of music, these eleven cantatas are: "Christ lag in Todesbanden," No. 4; "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen," No. 12; "Ich hatte viel Bekümmerniss," No. 21; "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen," No. 51; "Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen," No. 56; "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland," No. 61; "Jesu, der du meine Seele," No, 78; "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott," No. 80; "Ich habe genug," No. 82; "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit," No. 106; and "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme," No. 140.
A new supplement presents the eleven German texts in libretto form (Verse, without repeats) and a facing literal line-by-line translation by Stanley Appelbaum. The musical notation is large and clear, making it easy to follow in any study situation.
