Bach: Cantata No. 38 “Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt

First performed in Leipzig on October 29, 1724. The first piece is a chorale fantasy, “Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir” in which a motive from the chorale melody is used as the theme for a fugue. The soprano sings cantus firmus, expanded the chorale theme. The chorus is in the form of a motet, with strings and four trombones, large and small, superimposed on each voice. The motet was already considered old fasioned music at that time, a form popularized by Heinrich Schütz a hundred years earlier.

The alto recitative is followed by the tenor aria “Ich höre mitten in den Leiden” an impressive da capo aria with two oboes playing obbligato over the characteristic repetition of the basso continuo. The soprano recitative is followed by the triple aria “Wenn meine Trübsal als mit Ketten” sung by the soprano, alto, and bass, accompanied by the basso continuo. Following a short ritornello by the detailed figured bass, the three singers weave a fugue. The cantata ends with the chorale “Ob bei uns ist der Sünden viel”. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸 https://excelkobo.net/bachwerke/archive/BWV0038.pdf