Bach also wrote wonderful music for voice, for groups, as well as soloists. Enjoy this soothing chorus from his oratorio, St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244-63, recorded in 1973 by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, (conductor: Sir David Willcocks).
An "oratorio" is a large, long work, often based on a religious story, that is written for a choir accompanied by an orchestra. It's made up of many sections (called "movements"), each its own separate, little gem of a work. Today, oratorios are often performed in scaled-down versions, accompanied by an organ or a chamber orchestra (little orchestra), rather than full orchestra, and fewer movements. There are still many full-length performances, as well. Colleges and community groups, as well as professional groups, often cooperate to perform full oratorios.
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