Scoring: Soli SATB, Coro SATB, 2 Obda, 2 Vl, Va, Bc

Bach's well-known church cantata "Schwingt freudig euch empor" BWV 36 (Up joyous raise your song), first heard in its final version on First Advent Sunday in 1731 at the Leipzig Nikolaikirche, can be traced back to a secular birthday cantata from 1725. The text is now revised to render the events of Advent - the rejoicing of the opening chorus, the loving veneration and the warm-hearted welcome of the three solo arias retained from the origi...