Bach: Main liebster Jesus ist verloren, BWV 154

Description

The cantata "Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren" BWV 154 was first performed on 9 January 1724, the 1st Sunday after Epiphany. The structure and extent of the work are unusual: it comprises eight, instead of the usual six movements. With a duration of around 15 minutes, it is a concise work. As well as this, at the beginning of the cantata there is an aria instead of the usual opening chorus. A chorale features at the end and in the third movement. Its brevity and straightforward arias make this cantata suitable for inclusion in any church service, and is easy for amateur ensembles to master.