Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was better known as a virtuoso organist than as a composer in his day. His sacred music, organ and choral works, and other instrumental music had an enthusiasm and seeming freedom that concealed immense rigor. Bach's use of counterpoint was brilliant and innovative, and the immense complexities of his compositional style -- which often included religious and numerological symbols that seem to fit perfectly together in a profound puzzle of special codes -- still amaze musicians today. Many consider him the greatest composer of all time.

"Siehe, es hat überwunden der Löwe" ("Behold, the lion has triumphed"), BWV 219, is a Cantata by Bach for the Feast of St Michael and All Angels in 1723 however, the cantatas BWV 217-222 are all now regarded as either being of dubious provenance or, in some cases, are definitely identified as being by composers other than J.S. Bach. However, it's worth considering them here because it is still possible that one or two of them may actually be genuine and since there is also a good quality recording available of this set (conducted by Wolfgang Helbich on CPO 999139-2), so that listeners can come to their own conclusions!

BWV 219 has been identified as being by Telemann and is now found as TVWV 1:1328 in the catalogue of his works. A reference for the identification is Dürr, Bach-Jahrbuch 1951/2, 39f. The short opening chorus features a choral fugue with suitable martial trumpets. The trumpets stay centre stage for the fine triumphant bass aria "Gott stürzet den Hochmuth". A long soprano recitative leads into a pleasant but rather routine alto aria and the cantata is brought to a close by a straightforward chorale setting. It's difficult to see why this might ever have been attributed to Bach!

Although originally written for 4-part Chorus (SATB) and Orchestra (2 trumpets, 2 violins, viola, continuo) I created this arrangement for Wind Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, French Horn & Bassoon).