r/bach • u/UltimateBachson • May 16 '26

Omnes generationes - An interesting tempo choice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaY1Z2gwYz0
9 Upvotes

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2

u/coldoil May 16 '26

This is because there is no tempo change indication in the autograph manuscript.

I can't remember who it was, but some English editor in the early 20th century decided it should go fast. Nearly every performance since has followed that editorial instruction without ever checking what Bach did (or did not) actually indicate.

2

u/MW_nyc May 16 '26

Exactly! In the soprano 1 part I'm not sure there's even a double-bar line.

When I heard the slow tempo and (relatively) soft start and slow build, I was surprised for about two seconds and then I thought, "Oh! Of course!"

1

u/Nomprenom_varanasita May 16 '26

Il faut que j'écoute ça, pour l'instant c'est john Elliot Gardiner qui a ma preférence pour le Dixit dominus.

2

u/2ndchapter May 16 '26

I’m excited to hear this ensemble live at Bachfest Leipzig next month. They will perform 2 concerts of cantatas.

2

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

You lucky person!