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Orchestra and Chorus of the Collegium Vocale Gent
Hana Blažíková, Margot Oitzinger - sopranos,
Robin Blaze - counter tenor,
Thomas Hobbs - tenor,
Peter Kooij - bass,
Philippe Herreweghe - conductor
The point I made the other day about the use of repetition of a phrase or word as a meditation or for emphasis is on full display in the way Bach set the words "omnes generationes" "all generations" in a massive choral passage which breaks abruptly into the pastoral meditation of the soprano at about 8:28 in this recording. Maybe some day I'll count the number of times the word "omnes" is sung over and over in various ways to show as well as say "all" generations but it must run into the dozens of times.
You can compare how, in the minor doxology at the end when Bach sets the words "Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, (et in saecula saeculorum)" ' As it was in the beginning, as now and ever shall be, world without end" in a chordal manner to emphasize hat passage as an affirmation of belief and faith.
Everything about this setting is perfect, from the notes, rhythm and counterpoint to the smallest detail of instrumentation. There's a reason Bach has the reputation he does and this piece is one of them.
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