Bach: Cantatas For Alto – Benno Schachtner

In the summer/autumn of 1726, Johann Sebastian Bach composed three solo cantatas for alto within a period of three months. It seems likely that at this time Bach had a particularly talented alto singer in his ranks. However, it is not known who this person was. It was probably a young singer who performed the pieces in falsetto, thus corresponding, as Benno Schachtner notes, to the type of singer we now refer to as a countertenor. All three cantatas also feature the innovation of the obbligato organ. Usually relegated to playing the basso continuo in cantatas, Bach elevates it here to a solo instrument that competes on equal terms sometimes with the orchestra, sometimes with just a soloist. The Collegium 1704, conducted by Václav Luks, recorded this album at Bach’s place of work, St Thomas’ Church in Leipzig. And so, as a special highlight, the ‘Bach organ’ built there in 2000 is heard as the solo instrument. It’s sound and construction are entirely geared towards presenting Bach’s works in the most ideal manner.