Well, in the context of the church year, as today is the First Sunday of Advent !
2 December 1714 saw the performance in Weimar of Bach’s cantata “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” (BWV 61), a master work of his youth. The chorale was the most important hymn for Advent through centuries, the text being paraphrased by Martin Luther from Latin – Bach used it on several occasions.
BWV 61 opens with a splendid chorale fantasy in the style of a French overture, a musical form pioneered by Jean-Baptiste Lully at the French court. It is famous for it’s slow introduction with dotted rhythm, followed by a lively movement in fugato style.
Bach here greets a different King !
Enjoy the works of Bach online with All of Bach !