Bach: Easter Oratorio, Ascension Oratorio / Bach Collegium Japan

The episodes related to the resurrection of Christ are sung by characters from the New Testament (Maria Magdalena and others). A festive sinfonia is followed by an adagio with flute (oboe) solo. The first chorus, “Kommt, eilet und laufet,” has the same instrumentation as the sinfonia with a chorus. The recitative is followed by the soprano aria “Seele, deine Spezereien” with flute obbligato. After the recitative comes the tenor aria “Sanfte soll mein Todeskummer”. Two recorders and two violins are used in octave unison. After the recitative comes the alto aria “Saget, saget mir geschwinde”. This is accompanied by oboe d’amore and string ensemble. After the recitative is played again, the piece closes with the final chorus “Preis und Dank”.

The Ascension Oratorio is classified as Cantata No. 11 and, like the Easter Oratorio, is a festive composition with three trumpets and timpani. The alto aria in the fourth movement “Ach, bleibe doch, mein liebstes Leben” is the same as in the B minor Mass “Agnus Dei”. The soprano aria in the tenth movement “Jesu, deine Gnadenblicke” is with two flutes in unison, oboe, violin and viola in unison as a basset, with no basso continuo. #baroque #bach #oratorio #片山俊幸