No fewer than 43 of Bach’s 200 (known) church cantatas use the flute as a solo instrument, making for a unique part of its repertoire. With its full and flexible tone, virtuosity dexterity and clarity of articulation, the flute was perfectly adapted to the expression of evocative ‘affects’ within texts and contexts. Because of the intimate relation between the sound of the flute and the human breath, the instrument seems ideal to evoke crying, sighing, grieving (BWV 55, 94, 114, 146).

The flute solos from the Bach cantatas require great performers. Some 300 years after they were premiered, the Bach Collegium Stuttgart and Hänssler Classic are pleased to celebrate Peter-Lukas Graf, one of their most eminent soloists!