The longer I live with Bach's vocal music, the more I am certain that it is there where we find him at his most whole, the most complete as a composer.

My path to Bach was a function of my upbringing and my instrument; for far too long I knew only instrumental music. When I discovered the cantatas, masses and oratorios, a different picture emerged, one I liked better.

Here, a few hours in advance of his birthday (O.S. 21 March 1685), is a solo cantata, Widerstehe doch der Sünde (BWV 54), sung by Maarten Engeltjes with the Netherlands Bach Society.

https://youtu.be/tBwjv-QJhIk?

#baroquemusic #bachtage