Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
“Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt”
(For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven)
BWV 18
Event:
Cantata for Sexagesima Sunday
Readings:
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 11: 19 - 12: 9; Gospel: Luke 8: 4-15
Composed:
Weimar, 1713-1714
1st performance: 1713 or 1714 or at the latest February 24, 1715 - Weimar
2nd performance: February 13, 1724 – Leipzig
Text:
Erdmann Neumeister (Mvts. 3, 4);
Isaiah 55: 10-12 (Mvt. 2);
Lazarus Spengler (Mvt. 5)
Scoring:
Soloists: Soprano, Tenor, Bass; Four-part chorus
Orchestra: 4 violas, 2 recorders, bassoon, organ continuo
Mvt. 1: Sinfonia (00:00)
Mvt. 2: Recitative (02:49)
Mvt. 3: Recitative & Chorale – Litany (03:59)
Mvt. 4: Aria (09:38)
Mvt. 5: Chorale (12:54)
Soprano: Midori Suzuki
Tenor: Makoto Sakurada
Bass: Peter Kooy
Bach Collegium Japan
Masaaki Suzuki
Feb, Jun, Jul 1997, at the Kobe Shoin Women's University Chapel, Japan.
