Bach 9, Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist

Johann Sebastian Bach, Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45, Netherlands Bach Society 

Bach 8, Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder

Johann Sebastian Bach, Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BWV 135, Netherlands Bach Society 

Bach 7, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme

Johann Sebastian Bach, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, Netherlands Bach Society 

Bach 6, Easter Oratorio

Johann Sebastian Bach, Easter Oratorio, BWV 249, Netherlands Bach Society 

Bach 5, Mass in B minor

Johann Sebastian Bach, Mass in B minor, BWV 232, Netherlands Bach Society 

Bach 4, Jauchzet, frohlocket!

Johann Sebastian Bach, Jauchzet, frohlocket!, BWV 248, Netherlands Bach Society 

Bach 3, Gloria in excelsis Deo

Johann Sebastian Bach, Gloria in excelsis Deo, BWV 191, Netherlands Bach Society 

Bach 2, Christ lag in Todesbanden

Johann Sebastian Bach, Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4, Netherlands Bach Society 

Bach 1, Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit

I was raised on the music of Bach, even if it took me some time to recognize what a blessing it was, providing me with most all of the tools I needed to maintain a sharp mind and a caring heart. 

During breakfast on Sunday mornings, the family would always listen to the cantata for that week, and to this day I will hum arias in my head, much like I imagine others sing along to the favorite pop songs of their youth. 

Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, or also known as Actus tragicus, was a favorite, probably because I was originally confused by some of the German lyrics, thinking it was about selling real estate, instead of getting one's house in order to meet our Maker. 

Who would ever have thought that very similarly expressed Stoic sayings would put a smile on my face, so many decades later? 

My preference has always been for interpretations of Bach by Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Concentus Musicus, though I am not educated enough in the workings of Early Music to defend that attachment. 

Recently, I have been following the work of the Netherlands Bach Society, who intend to gradually release the complete works free of charge, in HD video. I will not see the project finished, but perhaps my son will. I applaud the noble intent to provide it as a sort of public service! 

At any time of the day, for whatever the occasion, you can't go wrong putting on a record by Bach. It is music made to nurture the soul, straight to the root. If you ever doubt the immediate presence of the True, the Good, and the Beautiful in this life, Bach will promptly rid you of such worries. 

Johann Sebastian Bach, Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106, Netherlands Bach Society