Bach: Cantata No. 59 “Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Cantata for Pentecost, first performed after May 16, 1723. Although written for soprano and bass, it is a quasi-large cantata with two trumpets and timpani. The opening duet aria “Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten” is sung at a slow tempo, with the trumpets and timpani joining in at various points. Following the soprano recitative and arioso, Luther’s austere chorale “Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott” is sung simply with string accompaniment. The final piece is the bass aria “Die Welt mit allen Königreichen” with violin obbligato.
