Bach: Cantata No. 66 “Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen” / Gustav Leonhardt
Cantata for Easter, first performed on April 10, 1724. In addition to strings, trumpet, two oboes, and bassoon are used. The first chorus, “Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen” has a dizzying 32nd-note passage in the instrumental section that requires virtuosity, especially from the trumpets. The middle section is followed by a rather long andante section in which the alto and bass solos intertwine in a descending chromatic melody. Then the piece comes back to the beginning. The performance time is approximately 10 minutes. Following the bass recitative with string accompaniment, the bass aria “Lasset dem Höchsten ein Danklied erschallen” is a joyful melody repeated by the instruments and bass on a descending basso continuo. It is accompanied by the full orchestra except for the trumpets. Next, the alto and tenor recitative in dialogue form is sung with an arioso in the middle section. The alto and tenor aria “Ich furchte zwar/nicht des Grabes Finsternissen” follows, with a gorgeous, flowing obbligato from the violins. The vocals sing sometimes parallel, sometimes intertwined, over the eloquent playing of the bass. The chorale “Alleluja! Alleluja! Alleluja!” is taken from the last verse of the medieval hymn “Christ ist erstanden”. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸
