Buxtehude, Erfreue dich, Erde The cantata Erfreue dich, Erde (BuxWV 26) is referred to as a “parody” because the composer Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707) had written the music and performed it earlier in a different form. There was nothing unusual about that. In his position at … Read more
Bach, Christ lag in Todesbanden Your image of J.S. Bach is probably shaped by the portrait of an older man with a white wig. We don’t have many images of Bach as a young man, and the authenticity of the one here (left) is in … Read more
J.S. Bach: “Die Katze lässt das Mausen nicht” from “Coffee Cantata,” BWV 211 Bach spent his last 27 years (1723-1750) in Leipzig writing mostly sacred music. As Kapellmeister of the Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church), he was expected to compose new works for the church. In contrast, … Read more
