Bach: Cantata No. 126 “Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt

This cantata is based on Martin Luther’s chorale. While the chorale has a total of 12 phrases, Bach significantly abridges them in this cantata. The first movement, the chorale fantasie “Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort” uses only four chorale phrases. A ritornello by the trumpet solo, 2 oboes, the strings and basso continuo are followed by a chorus. The soprano sings the cantus firmus, while the other voices move freely. The second movement is the tenor aria “Sende deine Macht von oben” with two oboes obbligato. Two long, impressive melismas are sung in the middle section. Next comes a movement in which the alto and tenor alternate singing recitatives, sandwiched with four chorale phrases. This is followed by the bass aria “Stürze zu Boden, schwülstige Stolze!”, accompanied by a dynamic basso continuo. Following the tenor recitative, the cantata closes with the chorale “Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich”. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸