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

This recording was produced in 1972 under the Swiss label Ex Libris as part of their dedicated Bach cantata series. It features Helmuth Rilling, a conductor whose life work centered on the complete traversal of Bach's sacred vocal output. By the 1970s, Rilling had established his Bach-Ensemble to perform these works with a blend of scholarly rigor and modern orchestral clarity, moving away from the heavy, romanticized interpretations that had dominated earlier decades.

The record pairs BWV 19, a dramatic cantata depicting the war in heaven, with BWV 191, a celebratory work that reuses material from the B Minor Mass. The design reflects the understated, functional aesthetic typical of European classical releases from the era, prioritizing legibility and historical context. Upon release, Rilling's cycle was highly regarded for its consistency and devotion to the liturgical intent of Bach's music, becoming a standard reference for listeners seeking a bridge between historical performance practice and contemporary ensemble playing.