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Recordings & Discussions of Cantatas: Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Cantatas BWV Anh | Order of Discussion

Cantata BWV 80
Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott

Ref.

BWV 80

German Title

Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott

English Title

A Mighty fortress is our God (by Richard Stokes)

Event

Choral Cantata for the Feast of the Reformation
Readings: Epistle: 2 Thessalonians 2: 3-8; Gospel: Revelations 14: 6-8

Composed

Composed partly in Weimar, 1715 for the 3rd Sunday in Lent (BWV 80a). Revised and expanded: Leipzig, around 1730. Cantata BWV 80 is as a reworking of cantatas BWV 80a and BWV 80b.
1st performance (BWV 80a): March 15, 1715 - Weimar; 2nd performance (BWV 80b): 1728-1731 - Leipzig; 3rd performance (BWV 80): 1735-1740 - Leipzig

Text

Martin Luther (Mvts. 1, 2, 5, 8); Salomo Franck (Mvts. 3, 4, 6, 7)

German Text | Translations: Catalan-1 | Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | English-8 | English-10 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Russian-1 | Spanish-3

Scoring

Soloists: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-part Chorus
Orchestra: 3 trumpets, timpani, 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola, cello, violone (double-bass), organ continuo (the trumpets and timpani parts are thought to be later additions by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach)
Mvt. 1: Chorus (Chorale) | Mvt. 2: Aria w/ Chorale | Mvt. 3: Recitative | Mvt. 4: Aria | Mvt. 5: Chorale | Mvt. 6: Recitative | Mvt. 7: Aria (Duet) | Mvt. 8: Chorale

Score Vocal & Piano [2.89 MB] | Score BGA [5.04 MB] | Score BGA Anh [0.84 MB]
Mvt. 1 | Mvt. 1 (Original) | Mvt. 2 | Mvt. 3 | Mvt. 4 | Mvt. 5 | Mvt. 5 (Original) | Mvt. 6 | Mvt. 7 | Mvt. 8 [pdf] [John Reese]
Chorales: Mvt. 8
Capella: Mvt. 1 | Mvt. 2 | Mvt. 5 | Mvt. 7 | Mvt. 8 [cap]

References

BGA: XVIII | NBA: I/31 | BC: A 183 | Zwang: K 95 | First Published: BG, 1870 | Autograph score (fascimile): ?

Commentary

Crouch | AMG | Bethlehem | Emmanuel Music | EvH [Dutch] | AL [Dutch] | HT [Dutch] | Chazot [French] | Japanese-1 | Reyes [Spanish]

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

Week of October 22, 2000; Week of November 2, 2008; Week of March 17, 2013

Contents

 

Complete Recordings of BWV 80
Recordings of Individual Movements from BWV 80
Details of BWV 80a
Details of BWV 80b

Discussions - Part 1
Discussions - Part 2
Discussions - Part 3
Discussions - Part 4
Discussions - Part 5

Complete Cantatas Vol. 22 - conducted by Ton Koopman
Bach Edition Vol. 4 & 5 - Cantatas Vol. 1 & 2 - conducted by Pieter Jan Leusink
Cantatas Vol. 27 - conducted by Masaaki Suzuki
Bach Hits Back - by Swingle Singers

Recordings - Part 1

Complete Recordings

1

J.S. Bach: Cantatas Nos. 80, 140 [C-5]

Felix Prohaska

Choir & Orchestra of the Bach Guild

Soprano: Maja Weis-Osborn, Alto: Hilde Rössel-Majdan; Tenor: Kurt Equiluz, Bass: Walter Berry

Vanguard Classics

1951

TT: 28:54

Recorded in Vienna.
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2

Les Grandes Cantates de J.S. Bach Vol. 5
J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 6, 31, 67, 76, 80, 87
[C-3]
Bach Cantatas:
Volume 2

Fritz Werner

Heinrich-Schütz-Chor Heilbronn / Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra

Soprano: Ingeborg Reichelt; Alto: Hertha Töpper; Tenor: Helmut Krebs; Bass: Franz Kelch

Erato / MHS

Oct 1959

TT: 29:34

Recorded in Ilsfeld, Germany.
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3

Bach Cantatas [E-1]

Helmuth Rilling

Figuralchor der Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart / Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn

Soprano: Antonia Fahberg; Contralto: Margarethe Bence; Tenor: Theophil Maier; Bass: Ulrich Schaible

Vox

1964

TT: 31:11

1st recording of Cantata BWV 80 by H. Rilling.
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4

Bach Made in Germany Vol. 3 - Cantatas II

Erhard Mauersberger

Thomanerchor Leipzig / Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Soprano: Agnes Giebel; Alto: Hertha Töpper; Tenor: Peter Schreier; Bass: Theo Adam

Leipzig Classics / Eterna

Oct 1966

TT: 28:33

Recorded at Thomaskirche, Leipzig, Germany.

 

5

J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 80 & BWV 104 [C-1]
J.S. Bach: Cantatas 68 / 76 / 80 [BMC]

André Vandernoot

Bach Chorus & Orchestra of the Amsterdam Philharmonic Society

Soprano: Agnes Giebel; Alto: Wilhelmine Matthès; Bass: Heinz Rehfuss

Cantate / Vanguard / Baroque Music Club

1966

LP / TT: 28:08

Buy this album at: Baroque Music Club

6

J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 80 & BWV 79 [C-5]
Bach: Les Grandes Cantatas
[R-1]
Bach: Cantatas Nos. 80, 140 & 147, Jesu, meine Freude [R-2]

Wolfgang Gönnenwein

Süddeutscher Madrigalchor / Consortium Musicum

Soprano: Elly Ameling; Mezzo-soprano: Janet Baker; Tenor: Theo Altmeyer; Bass: Hans Sotin

EMI Electrola / EMI Classics

Jul 1967

TT: 29:09

Recorded at Marbach Stadthalle, Germany.
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7

Bach Cantatas [C-1]

Johannes Somary

Amor Artis Chorale / English Chamber Orchestra

Soprano: Felicity Palmer; Alto: Helen Watts; Tenor: Robert Tear; Bass: Michael Rippon

Vanguard Classics

1974

TT: 28:57

Recorded at Conway Hall, London, England.
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8

Bach Cantatas Vol. 5 - Sundays after Trinity II
J.S. Bach Compact Edition: Kantaten · Cantatas · Cantates
[B-2]

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Chor / Münchener Bach-Orchester

Soprano: Edith Mathis; Alto: Trudeliese Schmidt; Tenor: Peter Schreier; Bass: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Archiv Produktion

Feb 1977; Mar, May-Jun 1978

TT: 26:29

Recorded at Herkules-Saal, München, Germany.
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9

J.S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk - Sacred Cantatas Vol. 5

Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Tölzer Knabenchor (Chorus Master: Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden) / Concentus Musicus Wien

Boy Soprano: Wilhelm Wiedl (Soloist of the Tölzer Knabenchor); Alto: Paul Esswood; Tenor: Kurt Equiluz; Bass: Ruud van der Meer

Teldec

1978

TT: 22:58

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J.S. Bach: Reformation Cantata; Lutheran Vespers; Organ [C-1]

 

Cantata BWV 80 []

Frederick Grimes

The Holy Trinity Bach Choir and Orchestra

Soprano: Diane Higginbotham; Mezzo-soprano: Jacqueline Pierce; Tenor: Gene Tucker; Baritone: Daniel Pratt

Fortress Publications

Jun 12, 1979

LP / TT:

Recorded at Trinity Lutheran Church, New York City, NY, USA.

10

Bach Made in Germany Vol. 4 - Cantatas X
Bach: Kantaten BWV 79, BWV 80 [L-10]

Hans-Joachim Rotzsch

Thomanerchor Leipzig / Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum

Soprano: Arleen Augér; Alto: Ortrun Wenkel; Tenor: Peter Schreier; Bass: Theo Adam

Eterna / Leipzig Classics

Feb 1981; Jan-Feb 1982

TT: 25:55

Recorded at Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche, Leipzig, Germany.
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11

Bach: Kantaten · Ein Feste Burg [C-2]

Raymond Leppard

London Voices / English Chamber Orchestra

Soprano: Elly Ameling; Contralto: Linda Finnie; Tenor: Aldo Baldin; Bass: Samuel Ramey

Philips

Feb 1981

TT:

Recorded at All Saint's Church, London, England.

12

Die Bach Kantate Vol. 57
Edition Bachakademie Vol. 26

Helmuth Rilling

Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn

CD: Soprano: Arleen Augér; Alto: Gabriele Schreckenbach; Tenor: Lutz-Michael Harder; Bass: Philippe Huttenlocher
LP: Soprano: Arleen Augér; Alto: Alyce Rogers; Tenor: Kurt Equiluz; Bass: Niklaus Tüller

Hänssler

Sep 1983; Apr 1976 (Mvt. 4)

TT: 25:05 (CD) / 37:35 (LP)

2nd recording of Cantata BWV 80 by H. Rilling. On Edition Bachakademie the dates for all Mvts. are: Sep-Oct 1983. Recorded at Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart & Südwest Tonstudio, Stuttgart, Germany (BWV 80). The LP edition was recorded in 1975/1976.
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13

J.S. Bach: Cantatas 80 & 140 [C-3]

Karl Münchinger

Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben / Stuttgarter Kammerorchester

Soprano: Gabriele Fontana; Alto: Julia Hamari; Tenor: Gösta Winbergh; Bass: Tom Krause

Decca Eclipse

Feb 1984

TT: 29:12

Recorded Evangelisches Schloßkirche, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
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14

J.S. Bach: 6 Favourite Cantatas [C-2]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble

Soprano: Jane Bryden; Alto: Drew Minter; Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas; Bass: Jan Opalach

L'Oiseau-Lyre

Sep 1985

TT: 25:41

Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com [80,147]

15

J.S. Bach: Magnificat [C-4]

Philippe Herreweghe

La Chapelle Royale / Collegium Vocale Gent

Soprano: Barbara Schlick; Alto: Gérard Lesne; Tenor: Howard Crook; Bass: Peter Kooy

Harmonia Mundi France

Jan 1990

TT: 24:18

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16

J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 80 & BWV 147 [C-2]

Mátyás Antál

Hungarian Radio Chorus / Failoni Chamber Orchestra

Soprano: Ingrid Kertesi; Alto: Judit Németh; Tenor: Jozsef Mukk; Bass: István Gáti

Naxos

Jan 1992

TT: 21:01

Recorded at Festetitch Castle, Budapest, Hungary.
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17

J.S. Bach: Cantatas Volume VI - Favorite Cantatas [C-6]

Jeffrey Thomas

American Bach Soloists Choir / American Bach Soloists

Soprano: Catherine Bott; Alto: Daniel Taylor; Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas; Bass: William Sharp

Koch International

Jan 1995

TT: 23:18

Recorded at St. Stephen's Church, Belvedere, CA, USA.
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18

Bach Edition Vol. 4 - Cantatas Vol. 1

Pieter Jan Leusink

Holland Boys Choir / Netherlands Bach Collegium

Soprano: Ruth Holton; Alto: Sytse Buwalda; Tenor: Knut Schoch; Bass: Bas Ramselaar

Brilliant Classics

Apr-Sep 1999

TT: 24:41

Recorded at St. Nicolaschurch, Elburg, Holland.
See: Bach Edition Vol. 4 & 5 - Cantatas Vol. 1 & 2 - conducted by Pieter Jan Leusink
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19

Bach Cantatas Vol. 10: Potsdam / Wittenberg
For the 19th Sunday after Trinity
For for the Feast of Reformation

John Eliot Gardiner

Monteverdi Choir / English Baroque Soloists

Soprano: Joanne Lunn; Counter-tenor: William Towers; Tenor: James Gilchrist; Bass: Peter Harvey

Soli Deo Gloria

Oct 2000

TT: 25:09

Live recording from the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, at Schlosskirch, Wittenberg, Germany.
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20

J.S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 22

Ton Koopman

Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir (Choir Master: Ulrike Grosch)

Soprano: Sandrine Piau; Alto: Nathalie Stutzmann; Tenor: James Gilchrist; Bass: Klaus Mertens

Antoine Marchand

May 2002 [Mvts. 3, 4]; Sep-Oct 2002 [Mvt. 2]; Oct 2003 [Mvts. 1, 5-8]

TT: 21:58

Recorded at Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam, Holland. Appendix: W.F. Bach: Bach: Gaudete omnes populi, F103 8:40 (Latin version of BWV 80) [8:40; Oct 2003]
See: Complete Cantatas Vol. 22 - conducted by Ton Koopman
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21

J.S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 27 - Cantatas from Leipzig 1724

Cantata BWV 80 [23:40]

Masaaki Suzuki

Bach Collegium Japan

Soprano: Susanne Rydén; Counter-tenor: Pascal Bertin; Tenor: Gerd Türk; Bass: Peter Kooy

BIS 1421

Sep 6-9, 2003

CD / TT: 68:18

Recorded at the Kobe Shoin Women's University Chapel, Japan.
See: Cantatas Vol. 27 - conducted by Masaaki Suzuki
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The list of recordings was compiled by Aryeh Oron (October 2000 - November 2008)
Thanks to contributors: Matthias Hansen (September 2005, March 2006, August 2006), William Hoffman (November 2008), John Pike (August 2005), Walter Roth (December 2006), Russ Sackowitz (September 2008), Michael Telles (May 2005)

Cantatas BWV 80, BWV 80a & BWV 80b : Complete Recordings of BWV 80 | Recordings of Individual Movements from BWV 80 | Details of BWV 80a | Details of BWV 80b | Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Recordings & Discussions of Cantatas: Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Cantatas BWV Anh | Order of Discussion

Introduction | Cantatas | Other Vocal | Instrumental | Performers | General Topics | Articles | Books | Movies | New
Biographies | Texts & Translations | Scores | References | Commentary | Music | Concerts | Bach Tour | Memorabilia
Chorale Texts | Chorale Melodies | Lutheran Church Year | Readings | Poets & Composers | Transcriptions
Search Website | Search Works/Movements | Terms & Abbreviations | Copyright | How to contribute | Sitemap | Links

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Last update: ýAugust 18, 2006 ý10:20:36