Bach for More, Forever More

March 21st was J. S. Bach's birthday. I know it sounds dumb, but it's kind of big deal in the classical music world. And since we're in spring now and wedding season is coming up, I thought I'd simply provide a link to a recording of Bach's Wedding Cantata, No. 202, "Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten". It's actually one of three secular cantatas he wrote for the occasion, but this was the one famous enough to earn the name "the Wedding Cantata".

The cantata is a celebration of both spring and love. The piece begins with a series of diminished harmonies suggestive of the lazy departure of winter, then become progressively more lively and colorful. The final aria includes a stately wedding march. It's a fun piece and just the right thing to lift the winter blahs and get you in the mood for spring and the rebirth of the world.

Listen to it for free at magnatune or download it for hardly anything.

And enjoy.