Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Founded in 1850 to collect, edit, and publish all the known works of J. S. Bach, the renowned Bach-Gesellschaft devoted fifty years to its monumental task and produced the most accurate editions of Bach's music. At a much lower cost than the fantastically expensive original publication, this volume reproduces in full vocal and instrumental score eleven cantatas from the reliable Bach-Gesellschaft volumes.
Chosen on the basis of frequency of performance, teaching value, and sheer greatness of music, these eleven cantatas are: "Christ lag in Todesbanden," No. 4; "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen," No. 12; "Ich hatte viel Bek#65533;mmerniss," No. 21; "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen," No. 51; "Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen," No. 56; "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland," No. 61; "Jesu, der du meine Seele," No, 78; "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott," No. 80; "Ich habe genug," No. 82; "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit," No. 106; and "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme," No. 140.
A new supplement presents the eleven German texts in libretto form (Verse, without repeats) and a facing literal line-by-line translation by Stanley Appelbaum. The musical notation is large and clear, making it easy to follow in any study situation.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Christ lag in Todesbanden, No. 4
• Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, No. 12
• Ich hatte viel Bekümmerniss, No. 21
• Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, No. 51
• Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, No. 56
• Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, No. 61
• Jesu, der du meine Seele, No. 78
• Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott, No. 80
• Ich habe genug, No. 82
• Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, No. 106
• Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, No. 140

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Between 1703 and 1717, Bach served as an organist in the German cities of Arnstadt, Muhlhausen, and Weimar. During that time, he wrote chorales, cantatas, concertos, preludes, and fugues, primarily for the organ. These works fused Italian, French, and German characteristics with a profound mastery of the contrapuntal technique. While serving as music director at the court of a German prince from 1717 to 1723, Bach wrote many compositions for the clavier and instrumental ensembles. These included preludes, fantasies, toccatas, and dance suites that served as both music instruction and entertainment. Of these works, the best known is the Well-Tempered Clavier, a series of preludes and fugues composed in 1722 and

Bach's last position as cantor and music director of St. Thomas's Church in Leipzig (1724--50), exerted considerable influence on Lutheran church music. During this period, he composed as many as 300 cantatas, 200 of which have been preserved. After his death at the age of 65, Bach became revered as one of the world's greatest composers, and his compositions are regarded by many as the most sublime music ever composed.

(Bowker Author Biography)