Bach: Cantata No. 44 “Sie werden euch in den Bann tun” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Bach performed this cantata for the first time in Leipzig on May 21, 1724, the Sunday after Ascension Day. The instrumentation consists of a string ensemble, two oboes, and a bassoon. The piece begins with the duet aria “Sie werden euch in den Bann tun” by tenor and bass. It begins in canon by two oboes, then also the tenor and bass join in canon. The piece ends continue to the next chorus, “Es kömmt aber die Zeit” without a break. The chorus sings homophonically on a fiery baso continuo movement, and the strings and oboe converse in for the chorus. The alto aria “Christen müssen auf der Erden” is sung by the oboe’s flowing, mournful obbligato. Here next, the tenor sings the chorale “Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid” accompanied only by the basso continuo. The bassoon bass is a chromatic “basso ostinato”. Following the bass recitative, the soprano aria “Es ist und bleibt der Christen Trost” is sung with strings and oboe in unison. Peter Jelosits’ soprano of “Wiener Sängerknaben” is excellent. The cantata concludes with the chorale “So sei nun, Seele, deine”. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸
