Wilhelm Friedemann Bach – Cantatas

2010 marked the 300th anniversary of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710 – 1784), the eldest son of Johann Sebastian Bach. On the occassion of this event the Bachchor Mainz celebrated the rediscovery of his cantatas in the impressive Augustinerkirche in Mainz.

While rather unknown today, Wilhelm Friedemann was one of the most outstanding but at the same time headstrong composers of his times. Since World War Second however, many of his works had been missing and were amazingly found by the renowned Bach researcher Christoph Wolff (Harvard) in Kiev (Ukraine) in 1999. For the musical world, the rediscovery of these musically and technically highly sophisticated compositions means a sensation. The world premiere of these 4 beautiful cantatas was performed by Dorothee Mields, Gerhild Romberger, Georg Poplutz, Klaus Mertens, the Bachchor Mainz and L’arpa festante under the direction of Ralf Otto. This fascinating insight into the composer’s works attest to the technical and musical virtuosity of Johann Sebastian Bach’s eldest son.

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Wohl dem, der den Herren fürchtet (BR-WFB F 19)
O Wunder, wer kann dieses fassen (BR-WFB F 2)
Ach, dass du den Himmel zerrissest (BR-WFB F 3)
Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen (BR-WFB F 10)

L’arpa festante München
Bachchor Mainz
Ralf Otto, conductor

Dorothee Mields   Soprano
Gerhild Romberger   Alto
Georg Poplutz   Tenor
Klaus Mertens   Bass