Bach: Cantata No. 80 “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Bach’s cantata No. 80 is based on the first through verse one to verse four of Luther’s famous hymn “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)”. The chorale “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” in the first movement is an impressive work in which Luther’s melody is arranged as a fugue, and the strings and unison chorus intertwine as if competing with the oboe unison. In the second movement, “Mit unser Macht ist nichts getan” a double aria for soprano and bass, the dynamic unison of violin and viola is intertwined with the free melody of the bass and the hymnal melody of the soprano. In addition, the soprano part is overlaid with an ornamented oboe hymn melody in unison. After the bass recitative and arioso, the soprano aria “Komm in mein Herzenshaus” is sung. As usual, Wilhelm Wiedl (Tölzer Knabenchor) sings wonderfully. The fifth movement is the chorale “Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel war” again based on Luther’s hymn melody. Accompanied by the orchestra’s dynamic full ensemble, all voices from soprano to bass sing Luther’s melody in unison. The tenor recitative is followed by the double aria “Wie selig sind doch die, die Gott im Munde tragen” sung by alto and tenor with oboe d’amore and violin obbligato. At the end, the last verse of Luther’s hymn is played as a simple chorale. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸
