Bach’s Rhetorical Intuition

A Response to Mattheson’s Criticism of Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis

September 30, 2020

This final issue before the American Choral Review transfers to a new home at the National Collegiate Choral Organization features a study of Bach’s use of rhetorical devices in Cantata Ich hatte viel Bekummnernis, BWV 21 and an interview with two singers from the ensemble New York Polyphony.

This final issue before the American Choral Review transfers to a new home at the National Collegiate Choral Organization features a study of Bach’s use of rhetorical devices in Cantata Ich hatte viel Bekummnernis, BWV 21 in light of Johann Mattheson’s criticism of Bach’s compositional practices. Author Anna Lenti believes that knowledge of these devices by the conductor will create compelling performances.

Laura Lynch and Michael Alan Anderson have contributed an fascinating interview with countertenor Geoffrey Williams and baritone Christopher Dylan Herbert of the internationally-acclaimed quartet, New York Polyphony, in which the two describe the inception, artistic and business decisions, and trajectory of becoming a leading early music group in modern times.