Michael Dirda

In my younger days, I used to visit record shops and covet boxed sets of Beethoven symphonies, Wagner operas, Bach cantatas, Mozart piano concertos. Only rarely was I able to find the money for such luxuries.

American Critic

Cantatas often narrate a story, like a musical novel with characters and a plot, through singing.

Storytelling Music

Many cantatas are used in church settings, reflecting their historical role in religious worship and ceremonies.

Religious Roots

Cantatas vary in length, but they are usually long enough to occupy a significant portion of a concert.

Concert Length

 That's actually Hy. And I look at a beautiful bowl of fruit, and I look at a dress that I sewed for friends of mine. And it says, "Ich habe genug," which is a Bach cantata, which I once thought meant "I've had it, I can't take it anymore,