Bach: Cantata No. 125 “Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt
This is a chorale cantata based on a hymn by Martin Luther, but only the first and last chorales have Luther’s lyrics, while the other movements are by an anonymous writer. The chorale fantasy “Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin” which opens with a solo flauto traverso and oboe with string ensemble, is played in flowing triplets except for the soprano voice, which is augmented by horns. At the end of the piece, only the last line of the chorale, “Der Tod ist mein Schlaf worden” (Death has become my sleep), is played with the same note value by the stifled piano. The second piece is the alto aria “Ich will auch mit gebrochnen Augen” in which the traverso and oboe d’amore play a slow melody in dotted rhythms, always on the piano (sempre piano), and the basso continuo is played in legato (tutto ligato). The next bass recitative with string orchestra is include a chorale melody. This is followed by the double aria “Ein unbegreiflich Licht” for tenor and bass, sung by two violins in obbligato. The cantata ends with the chorale “Er ist das Heil und selig Licht” following the alto recitative. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸
