Die Bach Kantate BWV 19 Es Erhub Sich Ein Streit / BWV 191 Gloria In Excelsis Deo

This recording was produced in 1981 as part of the Laudate series under the Hänssler Verlag label. It captures the Bach-Ensemble under the direction of Helmuth Rilling, a conductor whose life work centered on the methodical documentation of Johann Sebastian Bach's complete vocal oeuvre. The release paired BWV 19, a cantata written for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, with the festive BWV 191, a rare instance where Bach utilized his Latin liturgical music as a foundation for sections of the Mass in B Minor.

The aesthetic of the Laudate series was characterized by a commitment to scholarly precision and clear, balanced sound engineering, reflecting Rilling’s influence on mid-20th-century Bach performance practice. Rilling sought to bridge the gap between historical tradition and the emerging rigor of the early music movement, favoring clarity of text and instrumental counterpoint. At the time of its release, the recording was well-regarded by critics for its technical discipline and its contribution to the ongoing project of recording the comprehensive Bach cantata cycle.