Vox Christi
Encyclopedia
Vox Christi, Latin
for Voice of Christ, is a term for the bass voice
representing Jesus
in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach
and others. This part appears prominently in Bach's Passions
. In the St John Passion, the St Matthew Passion and the lost St Mark Passion
the singer renders the exact words of the Bible
, translated by Martin Luther
.
In contrast, the Evangelist
in music of Bach is always a tenor
, who narrates the Bible words in recitative
, in the Passions, the Christmas Oratorio
, and also in the Ascension Oratorio Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen, BWV 11. The Evangelist really is an Evangelist, a teller of good news, whereas the bass singer is not Jesus Christ. Therefore his part is traditionally called Vox Christi, voice of Christ. The words of Jesus in the St John Passion are recitatives leaning toward arioso
, in the St Matthew Passion they are additionally highlighted by an accompanying string quartet
.
s.
1714
In Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182
, (25 March 1714), Bach's first cantata in Weimar, for Palm Sunday
coinciding with Annunciation
, verses from a Psalm
are treated as if Jesus said them, set as the only recitative of the cantata, expanding to an Arioso
: "Siehe, ich komme, im Buch ist von mir geschrieben" ("Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me, I delight to do thy will." :7—8).
In Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172
(20 May 1714) for Pentecost
the bass sings the words of Christ from the Gospel of John
: "Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten" ("If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." :23).
In Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
, (2 December 1714) the bass sings the words of Christ from the Book of Revelation
: "Siehe, ich stehe vor der Tür und klopfe an. So jemand meine Stimme hören wird und die Tür auftun, zu dem werde ich eingehen und das Abendmahl mit ihm halten und er mit mir." ("Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. " :20).
1715
In Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe, BWV 185
, (14 July 1715), the bass summarizes admonitions from the Sermon on the Mount, all introduced by the keywords "Das ist der Christen Kunst" (That is the Christian art).
In Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! BWV 132
, (22 December 1715) the question Wer bist du? (Who are you), posed to St. John in the Gospel, is given to the bass, as if Jesus asked the listener this question.
1716
In Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange? BWV 155
, (19 January 1716) serious questions get answered by words of consolation, sung by the bass as the Vox Christi, almost as an arioso
on the words "Damit sein Gnadenlicht dir desto lieblicher erscheine" (so that the light of His grace might shine on you all the more brightly).
1723
In O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60
, (7 November 1723) the bass as the voice of Christ answers in dialogue a recitative of the tormented Fear three times with Selig sind die Toten
.
1724
In Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind, BWV 153
, (2 January 1724) the Bible
word from :10, "Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin mit dir" ("Fear not, I am with you"), is given to the bass as the Vox Christi, as if Jesus said it himself.
In Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren, BWV 154
, (9 January 1724) the bass sings in an arioso the answer of Jesus, found in the temple
12 years old, to the questioning of his desperate parents: "Wisset ihr nicht, daß ich sein muß in dem, das meines Vaters ist?" ("Do you not know that I must be in that which is My Father's?", :49).
In Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? BWV 81, (30 January 1724) the bass sings in an arioso, central within the cantata, the question of Jesus: "Ihr Kleingläubigen, warum seid ihr so furchtsam?" (Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?), :26).
Cantata Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166
, (7 May 1724) is opened by the bass singing a quote from the gospel, the third Farewell discourse
, but turned into a general question about the direction of life.
In the cantate Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86
, (14 May 1724) the bass sings in the opening movement three times the promise from the farewell discourse
of Jesus: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give you" (:23).
In Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78, (10 September 1724) a bass recitative is accompanied by strings, Die Wunden, Nägel, Kron und Grab (The wounds, nails, crown and grave), reminiscent of the Vox Christi in Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
Selig ist der Mann, BWV 57
, (26 December 1724) is a dialogue of the Anima and Jesus.
1725
In the first movement of Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183
, (13 May 1725) the announcement of Jesus from the second Farewell discourse
is set as a recitative of only five measures, accompanied by long chords of the four oboes, two oboi da caccia and two oboi d'amore on a pedal point
of the continuo, creating a "sepulchral" sound.
1726
The central movement of Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39, (23 June 1726) is a line from the Epistle to the Hebrews
13:16, Wohlzutun und mitzuteilen vergesset nicht (To do good and to share, forget no). Bach treats it, as if Jesus said the words himself, between arioso
and aria
.
In Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden, BWV 88
(21 July 1726, 5th Sunday after Trinity), the Evangelist begins part 2 with a recitative on , "Jesus sprach zu Simon" (Jesus said to Simon), the following direct speech of Jesus, calling Peter as his disciple, is sung by the bass: "Fürchte dich nicht; den von nun an wirst du Menschen fahen" (Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men).
In the central movement of Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45
, (11. August 1726) beginning Part II, the voice of Christ appears in a "highly virtuosic aria, half Vivaldi
an concerto, half operatic scena", according to John Eliot Gardiner
.
The central movement of Es wartet alles auf dich, BWV 187
, (4 August 1726) is Darum sollt ihr nicht sorgen (Therefore do not be anxious) from the sermon on the mount
. The words of Jesus are sung by the bass, accompanied by the violins in unison
and the continuo, which also takes part in their motifs.
In Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben, BWV 102
, (25 August 1726) Bach himself marked movement 4 for bass Arioso on words from the Epistle to the Romans
2:4—5, Verachtest du den Reichtum seiner Gnade (Do you scorn the riches of His mercy).
1731
In Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, (25 November 1731) Jesus "appears" with the "Soul" in movement 3, a duet for soprano and bass, Wann kommst du, mein Heil? (When will you come, my salvation?).
1732?
In Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 9, three bass recitatives based on stanzas of the chorale can be considered a sermon on the Lutheran
creed, based on the Sermon on the Mount
.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for Voice of Christ, is a term for the bass voice
Bass (voice type)
A bass is a type of male singing voice and possesses the lowest vocal range of all voice types. According to The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, a bass is typically classified as having a range extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C...
representing Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
and others. This part appears prominently in Bach's Passions
Passions (Bach)
According to his obituary, Johann Sebastian Bach wrote "five passions, of which one is for double chorus". Two works have survived: the St John Passion and the St Matthew Passion , this last using double chorus...
. In the St John Passion, the St Matthew Passion and the lost St Mark Passion
St Mark Passion (Bach)
The St Mark Passion , BWV 247, is a lost Passion setting by Johann Sebastian Bach, first performed in Leipzig on Good Friday, 23 March 1731 and again on Good Friday 1744 in a revised version...
the singer renders the exact words of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, translated by Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
.
In contrast, the Evangelist
Evangelist (Bach)
The Evangelist in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach is the tenor part in his oratorios and Passions who narrates the exact words of the Bible, translated by Martin Luther, in recitative, namely in the works St John Passion, St Matthew Passion, and the Christmas Oratorio, also in the St Mark...
in music of Bach is always a tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
, who narrates the Bible words in recitative
Recitative
Recitative , also known by its Italian name "recitativo" , is a style of delivery in which a singer is allowed to adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech...
, in the Passions, the Christmas Oratorio
Christmas Oratorio
The Christmas Oratorio BWV 248, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season. It was written for the Christmas season of 1734 incorporating music from earlier compositions, including three secular cantatas written during 1733 and 1734 and a...
, and also in the Ascension Oratorio Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen, BWV 11. The Evangelist really is an Evangelist, a teller of good news, whereas the bass singer is not Jesus Christ. Therefore his part is traditionally called Vox Christi, voice of Christ. The words of Jesus in the St John Passion are recitatives leaning toward arioso
Arioso
In classical music, arioso is a style of solo opera singing between recitative and aria. Literally, arioso means airy. The term arose in the 16th century along with the aforementioned styles and monody. It is commonly confused with recitativo accompagnato....
, in the St Matthew Passion they are additionally highlighted by an accompanying string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
.
Vox Christi singers
Some basses and baritones are especially known for singing the words of Jesus in Bach's Passions, including:- Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Dietrich Fischer-DieskauDietrich Fischer-Dieskau is a retired German lyric baritone and conductor of classical music, one of the most famous lieder performers of the post-war period and "one of the supreme vocal artists of the 20th century"...
- Kieth Engen
- Franz KelchFranz KelchFranz Kelch is a German bass-baritone lied and oratorio singer. His discography includes works of Johann Sebastian Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude, George Frederick Handel and Claudio Monteverdi.- Biography :...
- Max van EgmondMax van EgmondMax van Egmond is a Dutch bass and baritone singer. He has focused on oratorio and Lied and is known for singing works of Johann Sebastian Bach.- Professional career :...
- Klaus MertensKlaus MertensKlaus Mertens is a German bass and bass-baritone singer who is known especially for his interpretation of the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach.-Professional career:Klaus Mertens took singing lessons while attending school...
- Peter KooyPeter KooyPeter Kooy is a Dutch bass singer specialized in baroque music.- Biography :Peter Kooy started his musical career at 6 years as a choir boy. However he started his musical studies as a violin student...
Vox Christi in cantatas
The Vox Christi is present in several Bach cantataBach cantata
Bach cantata became a term for a cantata of the German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach who was a prolific writer of the genre. Although many of his works are lost, around 200 cantatas survived....
s.
1714
In Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182
Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182
Himmelskönig, sei willkommen , BWV 182, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Weimar for Palm Sunday, and first performed it on 25 March 1714.-History and words:...
, (25 March 1714), Bach's first cantata in Weimar, for Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels. ....
coinciding with Annunciation
Annunciation
The Annunciation, also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her...
, verses from a Psalm
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
are treated as if Jesus said them, set as the only recitative of the cantata, expanding to an Arioso
Arioso
In classical music, arioso is a style of solo opera singing between recitative and aria. Literally, arioso means airy. The term arose in the 16th century along with the aforementioned styles and monody. It is commonly confused with recitativo accompagnato....
: "Siehe, ich komme, im Buch ist von mir geschrieben" ("Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me, I delight to do thy will." :7—8).
In Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172
Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172
Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! , BWV 172, is a church cantata of Johann Sebastian Bach, written for Pentecost Sunday in Weimar, first performed there in the Schlosskirche on 20 May 1714.- History :In Weimar, Bach was the court organist of Johann Ernst von Sachsen-Weimar...
(20 May 1714) for Pentecost
Pentecost
Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus...
the bass sings the words of Christ from the Gospel of John
Gospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...
: "Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten" ("If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." :23).
In Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland , BWV 61, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Weimar for the for the first Sunday in Advent and first performed it on 2 December 1714.-History and words:...
, (2 December 1714) the bass sings the words of Christ from the Book of Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
: "Siehe, ich stehe vor der Tür und klopfe an. So jemand meine Stimme hören wird und die Tür auftun, zu dem werde ich eingehen und das Abendmahl mit ihm halten und er mit mir." ("Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. " :20).
1715
In Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe, BWV 185
Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe, BWV 185
Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe , BWV 185, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Weimar for the fourth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 14 July 1715.-History and words:...
, (14 July 1715), the bass summarizes admonitions from the Sermon on the Mount, all introduced by the keywords "Das ist der Christen Kunst" (That is the Christian art).
In Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! BWV 132
Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! BWV 132
Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! , BWV 132, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in Weimar in 1715 for the fourth Sunday in Advent and first performed it on 22 December 1715....
, (22 December 1715) the question Wer bist du? (Who are you), posed to St. John in the Gospel, is given to the bass, as if Jesus asked the listener this question.
1716
In Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange? BWV 155
Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange? BWV 155
Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange , BWV 155, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He first performed it in Weimar on the Second Sunday after Epiphany, on 19 January 1716.-History and words:...
, (19 January 1716) serious questions get answered by words of consolation, sung by the bass as the Vox Christi, almost as an arioso
Arioso
In classical music, arioso is a style of solo opera singing between recitative and aria. Literally, arioso means airy. The term arose in the 16th century along with the aforementioned styles and monody. It is commonly confused with recitativo accompagnato....
on the words "Damit sein Gnadenlicht dir desto lieblicher erscheine" (so that the light of His grace might shine on you all the more brightly).
1723
In O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60
O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60
O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort , BWV 60, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig for the 24th Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 7 November 1723.-History and words:...
, (7 November 1723) the bass as the voice of Christ answers in dialogue a recitative of the tormented Fear three times with Selig sind die Toten
Selig sind die Toten
Selig sind die Toten , is a line from the Bible frequently used in funeral music of German-speaking composers.The text begins in Revelation 14:13, in the Luther Bible Selig sind die Toten, die in dem Herrn sterben von nun an, in English begins Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord, from...
.
1724
In Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind, BWV 153
Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind, BWV 153
Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind , BWV 153, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in Leipzig for the Sunday after New Year's Day and first performed it on 2 January 1724.-History and words:...
, (2 January 1724) the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
word from :10, "Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin mit dir" ("Fear not, I am with you"), is given to the bass as the Vox Christi, as if Jesus said it himself.
In Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren, BWV 154
Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren, BWV 154
Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren , BWV 154, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He first performed it in Leipzig on the First Sunday after Epiphany, on 9 January 1724.-History and words:...
, (9 January 1724) the bass sings in an arioso the answer of Jesus, found in the temple
Finding in the Temple
The Finding in the Temple, also called "Christ among the Doctors" or the Disputation , was an episode in the early life of Jesus depicted in the Gospel of Luke. It is the only event of the later childhood of Jesus mentioned in a gospel.The episode is only described in...
12 years old, to the questioning of his desperate parents: "Wisset ihr nicht, daß ich sein muß in dem, das meines Vaters ist?" ("Do you not know that I must be in that which is My Father's?", :49).
In Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? BWV 81, (30 January 1724) the bass sings in an arioso, central within the cantata, the question of Jesus: "Ihr Kleingläubigen, warum seid ihr so furchtsam?" (Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?), :26).
Cantata Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166
Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166
Wo gehest du hin? , BWV 166, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for Cantate, the fourth Sunday after Easter, and first performed it on 7 May 1724....
, (7 May 1724) is opened by the bass singing a quote from the gospel, the third Farewell discourse
Farewell discourse
In the New Testament, Chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John are known as the Farewell Discourse given by Jesus to eleven of his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before his crucifixion....
, but turned into a general question about the direction of life.
In the cantate Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86
Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86
Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch , BWV 86, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for Rogate, the fifth Sunday after Easter, and first performed it on 14 May 1724.-History and words:...
, (14 May 1724) the bass sings in the opening movement three times the promise from the farewell discourse
Farewell discourse
In the New Testament, Chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John are known as the Farewell Discourse given by Jesus to eleven of his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before his crucifixion....
of Jesus: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give you" (:23).
In Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78, (10 September 1724) a bass recitative is accompanied by strings, Die Wunden, Nägel, Kron und Grab (The wounds, nails, crown and grave), reminiscent of the Vox Christi in Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
Selig ist der Mann, BWV 57
Selig ist der Mann, BWV 57
Selig ist der Mann , BWV 57, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was written in Leipzig in 1725 for the Second Day of Christmas, which was celebrated that year as St...
, (26 December 1724) is a dialogue of the Anima and Jesus.
1725
In the first movement of Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183
Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183
Sie werden euch in den Bann tun , BWV 183, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for Exaudi, the Sunday after Ascension, and first performed it on 13 May 1725....
, (13 May 1725) the announcement of Jesus from the second Farewell discourse
Farewell discourse
In the New Testament, Chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John are known as the Farewell Discourse given by Jesus to eleven of his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before his crucifixion....
is set as a recitative of only five measures, accompanied by long chords of the four oboes, two oboi da caccia and two oboi d'amore on a pedal point
Pedal point
In tonal music, a pedal point is a sustained tone, typically in the bass, during which at least one foreign, i.e., dissonant harmony is sounded in the other parts. A pedal point sometimes functions as a "non-chord tone", placing it in the categories alongside suspensions, retardations, and passing...
of the continuo, creating a "sepulchral" sound.
1726
The central movement of Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39, (23 June 1726) is a line from the Epistle to the Hebrews
Epistle to the Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the books in the New Testament. Its author is not known.The primary purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews is to exhort Christians to persevere in the face of persecution. The central thought of the entire Epistle is the doctrine of the Person of Christ and his...
13:16, Wohlzutun und mitzuteilen vergesset nicht (To do good and to share, forget no). Bach treats it, as if Jesus said the words himself, between arioso
Arioso
In classical music, arioso is a style of solo opera singing between recitative and aria. Literally, arioso means airy. The term arose in the 16th century along with the aforementioned styles and monody. It is commonly confused with recitativo accompagnato....
and aria
Aria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
.
In Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden, BWV 88
Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden, BWV 88
Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden , BWV 88, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the fifth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 21 July 1726.-History and words:...
(21 July 1726, 5th Sunday after Trinity), the Evangelist begins part 2 with a recitative on , "Jesus sprach zu Simon" (Jesus said to Simon), the following direct speech of Jesus, calling Peter as his disciple, is sung by the bass: "Fürchte dich nicht; den von nun an wirst du Menschen fahen" (Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men).
In the central movement of Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45
Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45
Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist , BWV 45, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the eighth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 11 August 1726....
, (11. August 1726) beginning Part II, the voice of Christ appears in a "highly virtuosic aria, half Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
an concerto, half operatic scena", according to John Eliot Gardiner
John Eliot Gardiner
Sir John Eliot Gardiner CBE FKC is an English conductor. He founded the Monteverdi Choir , the English Baroque Soloists and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique...
.
The central movement of Es wartet alles auf dich, BWV 187
Es wartet alles auf dich, BWV 187
Es wartet alles auf dich , BWV 187, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1726 in Leipzig for the seventh Sunday after Trinity...
, (4 August 1726) is Darum sollt ihr nicht sorgen (Therefore do not be anxious) from the sermon on the mount
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
. The words of Jesus are sung by the bass, accompanied by the violins in unison
Unison
In music, the word unison can be applied in more than one way. In general terms, it may refer to two notes sounding the same pitch, often but not always at the same time; or to the same musical voice being sounded by several voices or instruments together, either at the same pitch or at a distance...
and the continuo, which also takes part in their motifs.
In Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben, BWV 102
Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben, BWV 102
Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben , BWV 102, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1726 in Leipzig for the tenth Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 25 August 1726.-History and text:...
, (25 August 1726) Bach himself marked movement 4 for bass Arioso on words from the Epistle to the Romans
Epistle to the Romans
The Epistle of Paul to the Romans, often shortened to Romans, is the sixth book in the New Testament. Biblical scholars agree that it was composed by the Apostle Paul to explain that Salvation is offered through the Gospel of Jesus Christ...
2:4—5, Verachtest du den Reichtum seiner Gnade (Do you scorn the riches of His mercy).
1731
In Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, (25 November 1731) Jesus "appears" with the "Soul" in movement 3, a duet for soprano and bass, Wann kommst du, mein Heil? (When will you come, my salvation?).
1732?
In Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 9, three bass recitatives based on stanzas of the chorale can be considered a sermon on the Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
creed, based on the Sermon on the Mount
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
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