Baroque Music for a Vocal Ensemble

While not composed as a set, these six motets BWV 225- 230 are considered to be among the pinnacles of the choral repertoire. All were written for St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach was director of music. Four of the six were written for funeral services of prominent Leipzig citizens, and are scored for double chorus without instrumental accompaniment. Bach took the traditional motet and elevated it into a more ambitious, multi- movement choral concerto, expanding the boundaries of the genre. Beyond their technical brilliance these motets express a unique emotional and theological depth.