York Minster

A Break with musical tradition at York Minster

Published Tuesday 7th November 2006 by Alix Peacock

For many years the Minster Choir has sung Bach's Cantata 140, Wachet Auf! on the Sunday before Advent. This year it has been decided that another of Bach's advent Cantatas, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, (Come unto us now, Saviour of the Unbeliever) (Cantata 61) will be sung instead. This change to the norm gives members of the congregation a chance to hear and appreciate another of the other musical treasures left to us by this well-loved and celebrated composer. The tradition of singing Wachet Auf! is valued by a great many people and the congregation can rest assured that it will not in future years be neglected.

Bach composed 224 cantatas, all revealing a level of inspiration and musical skill beyond anything known before or after Bach's lifetime.

The words of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland were written by the Hamburg Pastor, Erdman Neumeister who was inspired by the Lutheran doctrine. The music of Cantata 61 is complex and melodious and contains an astonishing variety of religious symbolism, which is fitting for this time in the Church's Calendar. A full text, translation and programme note will be available on Sunday 26 November.