(Praise, O Jerusalem, the Lord) for soprano, alto, tenor and bass, vocal ensemble, trumpets I-IV, timpani, flauto dolce I+II, oboe I-III, oboe d’ amore I+II, strings and basso continuo

When Bach commenced his position as Thomas Cantor in 1723, he was, despite a long selection process with many rival candidates, the great hope of an influential council faction intent on introducing a courtly aspect to the music of Leipzig. One opportunity for Bach to show that their trust and goodwill were not misplaced was the council election service. Taking place annually on St Bartholomew’s Day in Leipzig’s St Nicolas Church, these proceedings represented an act of political folklore that elevated the formal rotation between an active and two inactive council associations to a pseudo-democratic rebirth rooted in theocratic legitimation.