"Capella Sollertia" Ensemble, led by Johanna Soller - CD Review, 28^th May 2026

Johann Ludwig Bach - Cantatas "Gott ist unser Zuversicht" and "Ich aber ging für dir über". Soloists: soprano Anna-Lena Elbert, baritone Sebastian Myrus and tenor Michael Mogl.

Premiere album, released on 20^th of February

In 1726, Johann Sebastian Bach held the position of music director at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig. In February of this year, the great German composer stopped his production of sacred cantatas for the benefit of the aforementioned place of worship, in order to present 18 cantatas composed by his cousin Johann Ludwig Bach in the main cathedrals of Leipzig. At the time, the former served as Kapellmeister at the court of Meiningen and composed cantatas, motets, several orchestral pieces, and masses in the German Baroque style, characterized by an eloquent contrapuntal discourse.

Johann Ludwig Bach's scores only survived thanks to the copies made and kept by Johann Sebastian Bach, a clear admirer of his cousin's creations.

For the first time in history, these 18 cantatas were recorded and released on 20^th of February 2026 as part of a collection of four CDs from Ricercar Records, a Belgian record label specialising in Baroque music.

The one to interpret the music is Capella Sollertia, a valuable ensemble from Germany led by Johanna Soller - a 37-year-old conductor, harpsichordist and organist. Capella Sollertia was founded in 2019 and includes a choir and orchestra that sings Baroque music on historical instruments. The ensemble's repertoire in centred around Johann Sebastian Bach's creations and one of its goals is the rediscovery of forgotten scores that share some connection with the great Baroque composer. Thus, the ensemble founded and led by the German musician Johanna Soller, launched this extensive recording project which brings together, for the first time, the complete set of cantatas composed in Leipzig by Johann Ludwig Bach.

Soloists: soprano Anna-Lena Elbert, baritone Sebastian Myrus and tenor Michael Mogl - members of the Capella Solertia ensemble.