Bach: Cantata No. 164 “Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet” / Gustav Leonhardt

This cantata, premiered in Leipzig on August 26, 1725, is based on a text by Salomon Frank, a close friend of Bach from his Weimar days. The first piece is the tenor aria “Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet” in which the string ensemble enters with a moving ritornello in nine-eighths time, with the tenor taking over the melody. Following the bass recitative, the alto aria “Nur durch Lieb und durch Erbarmen” is sung with two flauto traverso obbligato. The traversos are by Ricardo Kanji and Walter van Hauwe. It is an impressive aria, with a sad and heartbreaking melody. The tenor recitative is followed by the double aria “Händen, die sich nicht verschließen” for soprano and bass. The piece opens with a charming sounding ritornello with two traverso, two oboes, and two violins in unison. The opening theme is presented in a fugue, to which the soprano and bass join as well. It is a wonderful, tense aria. The piece ends with the chorale “Ertöt uns durch dein Güte”.　#baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸 https://excelkobo.net/bachwerke/archive/BWV0164.pdf