Colorado Bach Ensemble: Cantata Insight Series: Meine Seel erhebt den Herren, BWV 10

"Bach composed Cantata 10, Meine Seel erhebt den Herren (My Soul Magnifies the Lord) for the Feast of Visitation in 1724, which celebrates Mary’s visit to her cousin, Elizabeth. As told in the Gospel of Luke, both women were pregnant, and Elizabeth’s baby (John the Baptist) leapt for joy in the womb, recognizing Jesus in Mary’s womb. In turn, Mary responds with the famous Magnificat praising the Lord. We hear the exuberant cheerfulness and energy of this meeting highlighted especially well in the second movement aria sung by the soprano. Set in a joyful mood, Bach wrote many 'leaps' for the singer, expressing praise and thankfulness. Other than this movement, one will find this cantata to be more dramatic and contemplative; the tenor/alto duet and following tenor recitative, in particular, are quite serious in mood."