Last night a warm-hearted group of musicians gathered to read informally two Bach cantatas for the Advent season: No. 1 (Wie schoen leuchtet der Morgenstern) and No. 140 (Wachet auf!)

Without an understanding of the theology of the season this music is simply difficult. The theology of Advent has to do with the unexpected: something is going to happen, we know not when exactly. Thus the rhythmic conundrums, the long rests, the sudden bursts of energy. The difficulty is still there, but it takes on a human feel which altogether transforms the experience of singing and playing.