The “Bach Factory” is a video series by the J.S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen that gives you interesting insights into Bach’s cantatas – including exclusive excerpts from their live performance.

This episode of Bach Factory is dedicated to a Bach cantata which was set to Martin Luther’s famous hymn for Reformation Day – «Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott» (A Mighty Fortress is our God). During a time of war, threat, and suffering, Luther seeks refuge and mental safety in God. Johann Sebastian Bach’s moving cantata BWV 80 captures this profound human experience in music.

How exactly does the cantata do this? And what other portions of music history can be found within it? Rudolf Lutz and Xoán Elías Castiñeira guide us through the themes, meanings, and structure of J. S. Bach’s BWV 80.

The concert recording, introductory workshop and reflective lecture (in German) are available at Bachipedia.