Bach: Cantata No. 135 “Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder” / Gustav Leonhardt

Chorale cantata based on a hymn by Cyriakus Schneegass. The opening chorale fantasy, “Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder” begins with the halting staccato of the two oboes and the strings, as if anticipating the chorale melody. After the chorus joins in, the atmosphere continues and dominates the entire piece. The cantus firmus is given to the bass, while the other voices intertwine counterpointedly in a chorale melody with short note values, an impressive and moving piece. Following the melismatic tenor recitative, the tenor aria “Tröste mir, Jesu, meine Gemüte” is sung by two oboes in obbligato. The oboes play homophonically and joyfully, but in the sequenz they exchange the words with each other. After the word “stille”, general pause appears. Following the alto recitative, the bass sings the aria “Weicht, all ihr Übeltäter” with string accompaniment. The powerful string ritornello, with its ups and downs, is accompanied by the melisma of the basses, and ends with a “storm and urge” ritornello. The piece concludes with the chorale “Ehr sei ins Himmels Throne”. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸 https://excelkobo.net/bachwerke/archive/BWV0135.pdf