La Petite Bande . Sigiswald Kuijken

When the complete edition of Bach's works was being compiled by the Bach-Gesellschaft around 1850, the Ascension Oratorio 'Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen' was inserted as a cantata by mistake. Even though this piece only lasts for half an hour, it is a genuine oratorio with an Evangelist who tells the story of Christ's Ascension into Heaven. Research has shown that a large proportion of the arias and chorales that Bach composed in 1735 were inspired by older cantatas which unfortunately are now lost. There is however considerable contrast between the jubilant opening of the choir and the contemplative arias. For example, the miracle of the Ascension provokes the mezzo to want to bid a profoundly sad farewell to Jesus. Typically, La Petite Bande opts for the paired-down approach, where the four main soloists also sing as part of the main ensemble. Together with a small orchestra, this makes for a refreshingly modest but intense rendition. 'Sie werden euch in den Bann tun', a cantata which Bach wrote for Ascension and the two other cantatas written for the Easter period are absolute gems.