It's time for Bachtoberfest! Tonight we treat ourselves to a wine & cheese spread, tailored to the different variations in this iconic piece.

We had so much fun with this that we think you should try it too. Just pair some of your favorite wines and cheeses and other snack items with the musical feast that is the Goldberg Variations. Then, let us know how it went!

And with that, season 5 of A Moment of Bach comes to a close. As always, we are so grateful to our listeners! Thank you for continuing to spread the word about our podcast! And, thanks to Netherlands Bach Society for the continued use of their excellent recordings.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT DETAILS in Southern California: Christian's church: Christmas Carol Festival at Abiding Savior Alex's church: Christmas Concerts at St. John's Orange, Dec 5, 6

Christian's Carnegie Hall invitation details here. Registration portal found here (if closed, email Christian at amomentofbach@gmail.com)

Unabashed joy describes this short and sweet cantata, which Bach wrote at age 23 for a wedding. In its sparkling finale, some mysteries hide. A curiously unexpected tonality sets off the happy declamation of "ihr seid" (you are), with emphasis on "seid"; according to Bach we ARE blessed by God, rather than "us" being special.

Then what do we make of the ending? Even in an early cantata which generally sounds like 1600s Lutheranism, some new special effects are hidden. Bach surprises us with his piano marking along with some Haydn/Mozart-like figurations. It's hard to listen to this level of happiness without cracking a smile.

Der Herr denket an uns (BWV 196) mvt. 5 "Ihr seid..." as performed by the Netherlands Bach Society

Today we talk "Men in Black", "Coco", "Futurama", and hear a slappin' bass line from an 80's funk song. Oh, and some Bach. Remember to stop and smell the forget-me-nots -- in other words, enjoy those moments.

In memoriam Fred Jacobs.

Charles Daniels (tenor), Meineke van der Velden (da gamba), and Fred Jacobs (theorbo) performing "Vergiss mein nicht" (BWV 505) for the Netherlands Bach Society

Video on the theorbo by Elizabeth Kenny for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment