Bach: Cantata No. 8 “Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben?” / Gustav Leonhardt
The first chorus begins with two oboe d’amores with pizzicato strings, and flauto traverso in the highest register with six consecutive notes like an electric signal. The sound type of the traverso sometimes changes to a dispersed chord. A four-voice chorale is occasionally interjected as if remembering. It is a very strange and impressive piece. The second piece is a tenor aria, “Was willst du dich, mein Geist, entsetzen” played with an oboe d’amore obbligato and a pizzicato basso continuo. After the alto recitative it follows the bass aria “Doch weichet, ihr tollen, vergeblichen Sorgen!”. This is probably the most attractive aria with traverso obbligato in Bach’s cantatas. The melody is very joyful, and it is played lightly in the rhythm of the Gigue. This performance by Frans Brüggen is one of the “highlights” of the complete Bach cantata collection. The highest note A, which is difficult to play in the traverso, is played with great brilliance. After a recitative by the soprano, this cantata ends abruptly with a short chorale. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸
