Bach: Cantata No. 185 “Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Cantata from the Weimar period with text by Franck. The first duett aria, “Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe” is sung in a passepied or forlane rhythm. The oboe d’amore changes the beat of the chorale melody to six-fourths time and overlays the piece. Following the alto recitativo accompagnato and arioso, the alto aria “Sei bemüht in dieser Zeit” is sung with the oboe d’amore, string orchestra, and bassoon. A slow and gentle ritornello is played, and it is carried over to the alto. After the duett with the oboe d’amore solos in the middle of the piece, and a long melisma is sung at the “Ewigkeit” (Eternity). In the bass recitative “Die Eigenliebe schmeichelt sich” the bassoon is superimposed on the basso continuo, but the part is notated in quarter notes, as if to make it clear that it is a recitative secco. Next, the bass aria “Das ist der Christen Kunst” is sung with the same instrumentation. The bass accompaniment anticipates the bass melody and repeats it over and over again in different keys. The cantata ends with the chorale “Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesus Christ”.　#baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸 https://excelkobo.net/bachwerke/archive/BWV0185.pdf