• Funeral Cantata
• Editions: BG 12.2
• Rating: 2

Something of an oddity, the single movement cantata BWV 53 is now considered of uncertain provenance and it has been suggested that the work may be by G.M. Hoffman (thought also to be responsible for BWV 189). The work remains in Anhang II of the BWV (reserved for those works whose attribution is still uncertain). Listening to the cantata, some of its thematic material is suggestive of Bach but the accompanying bells would be unique amongst Bach's surviving output!

For a reference on this work, see Glöckner, Beiträge zur Bachfurschung, 8, p 55. The only recordings that I know of are those of Rene Jacob's on Harmonia Mundi HMT 790 1273 and Robin Blaze on Hyperion CDA 67079. Perhaps not worth a special detour but if you like the couplings (other solo cantatas by Bach in the former case and German baroque church music in the latter) this may swing you in favour.

Copyright © 1999, Simon Crouch.