Johann Sebastian Bach opened the second year of his Leipzig church compositions on 11 June 1724 with a performance of the cantata 'O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort'. The work is based on a church hymn by Johann Rist that depicts, in riveting language, the terrors of the Last Judgment and the torments of Hell, followed by an admonition to live a life pleasing to God. The poem inspired Bach to write one of his most impressive church compositions altogether. This remarkably extensive score with twelve sheets sheds particularly instructive and detailed light on Bach's creative process. The Bach Archive Leipzig acquired this priceless manuscript at the end of 2016, making it possible for the first time to reunite the original performance material and the handwritten score of a Bach chorale cantata. Our facsimile edition complements the edition of BWV 20 presented by James Webster almost 50 years ago in volume I/15 of the New Bach Edition.
