Repertoire

Johann Sebastian Bach: Six motets
Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226
Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229
Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, BWV 230
Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227
Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir, BWV 228
Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225

ARTISTS

Ensemble O Vos Omnes
Xavier Pastrana, conductor

Programme

The ‘motet’, a diminutive of the French mot (word), is a medieval polyphonic choral composition that has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries. Typically linked to the insight of biblical texts in Christian liturgy, the genre was prominent from the 13th to 16th centuries.

The highly prolific work of Johann Sebastian Bach could not exclude this form in view of the composer’s links with liturgy, in this case with Lutheran Protestantism. There are some gaps in the corpus of his works, and it seems that the motets BWV 225 to 230 are the only ones preserved. This concert by O Vos Omnes is a wonderful opportunity to hear them all together.