(Rejoice, all ye spirits) for alto, tenor and bass, vocal ensemble, trumpet, oboe I+II, bassoon, strings and continuo

Written in Leipzig, Bach’s Easter cantata BWV 66 (preserved in its 1731 version) is a sacred parody based on a Cöthen serenade of 1718. Bach opens the work by taking the spectacular closing movement of the original – “Let sun shine forever, let pleasure bring laughter, let prosper Prince Leopold ever in Bliss” – and reworking it as an introductory chorus to the text of “Rejoice, all ye spirits, depart all ye sorrows, alive is our Saviour and ruling in you”.