Rias Kammerchor & Basso Continuo Akademie für alte Musik Berlin . H-C Rademann

Bach composed these five motets in Leipzig as Thomas cantor. They were intended for funeral services. The rules of the St. Thomas School stipulated that, when a death occurred, the teachers and pupils should gather before the house of the deceased to sing a hymn or a motet there. It was the cantor who chose the work to be sung or who composed a new work, should the family of the deceased desire a specific Biblical text. These motets are not in the same league as Bach's great masses and cantatas, but they are among his most consummate compositions, as is heard in, for instance, the five-voice 'Jesu meine Freude', one of his most captivating works. Their relative difficulty means that they are seldom performed. They demand first-class singing, meaning that ordinary or amateur performances cannot really do justice to them. The RIAS Chamber Chorus is positively one of the best choruses in the world. Its interpretations of music - be it that of Bach or present-day - are absolute benchmarks.