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

Released in 1974 on the Swiss label Ex Libris, this recording is part of Helmuth Rilling’s extensive commitment to documenting the complete sacred vocal works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Rilling, a German conductor and scholar, founded the Bach-Ensemble specifically to approach these complex liturgical compositions with a rigorous focus on historical precision and emotional clarity, moving away from the heavier Romantic interpretations that dominated the early 20th century.

The record pairs BWV 19, a cantata written for the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, with the festive BWV 191, a rare example of Bach’s use of Latin text. The production aesthetic follows the austere, scholarly design typical of Ex Libris pressings from this era, emphasizing the academic prestige of the performance. Critics of the time praised Rilling's approach for its disciplined technique and the vibrant, clean execution of the Bach-Ensemble’s chorus and orchestra, solidifying this series as a standard for mid-century listeners interested in systematic, high-fidelity Bach recordings.