BWV 57/3
Arie (S) Ich wünschte mir den Tod - 1725 - Christmas 2
Although cantata 57 was composed for Boxing Day, the birth of Christ is no longer the central theme, but rather the death of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The composition, just as with cantata 49, depicts a dialogue between Christ and the soul of man. The cantata evokes the triumph of the new-born Christ over sin, which corrupts mankind. Those who resist temptation will receive the crown (in Greek ‘stephanos’) of life. In the soprano aria Ich wünschte mir den Tod, wenn du, mein Jesu, mich nicht liebtest Bach depicts the contrasts inherent in the text. The death-wish of the soul is depicted by a rising, harrowing motive, followed by an abrupt falling ninth. The love of Christ is expressed by the minuet-like figure with its optimistic character and flowing quaver-movement.
III/P (C - c3)
Fragment BWV 57/3 Euwe & Sybolt de Jong Schnitger-organ - Martinikerk Groningen, The Netherlands HW: O 8 RP: Bd 8, Trem BW: Hf 8 PED: Gd 8 |
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photo: Sietze de Vries | recorded July 2009 - WestraMedia |
player 1: easy - medium | player 2: easy - medium |
Bach Cantatas volume IV > order cd
Euwe & Sybolt de Jong
Schnitger-organ - Martinikerk
Groningen, The Netherlands
Boeijenga Music Publications
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
ISBN: 978-90-70425-74-6
Ed.nr: BE 1083