J.S. Bach Cantata BWV 4 - Christ lag in Todes Banden

The opening chorus is one of Bach's greatest. In concept, it takes off from organ preludes based on chorale tunes, where one hears an independent musical argument fitted against the tune in long notes, much like Bach's fairly well-known prelude to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." In these, Bach usually establishes the argument and then brings in the chorale tune as an emotional lift, or the sudden revelation of the hand of God in the busy-ness of human affairs. In this chorus, however, he begins with the tune - long notes in the soprano, as opposed to his normal practice of burying the melody in the alto or tenor. Immediately, the tune fragments and bends to new shapes in the other parts, and Bach places all of it into highly independent - each voice has a different rhythm - four-part counterpoint. "Christ lay in the bonds of Death, given over for our sin. He is risen again and has brought us eternal life." It is as if the Passion and resurrection of Christ informs the world. Typically (as we have seen), Bach splits the movement in half, at the words "Therefore, let us be joyful, praise God and be thankful to Him, and sing hallelujah." At this point, the entrances reverse, with the three lower voices coming in first with adumbrations of the chorale and the sopranos finally capping the phrase. Bach somehow pulls off a "change in direction" in the music. In the first half, the music tends to "sink" down. In the second, it seems to rise. At the final phrase - "und singen Halleluja" - Bach brings off another masterstroke. The tenor begins, as usual, with a variant of the relevant chorale phrase, as the bass accompanies in what seems to be strictly functional "note-filling." However, it is the bass material, on the word "Halleluja", that increasingly dominates the musical argument. Furthermore, the counterpoint radically simplifies, until all voices, including the soprano, sing "Halleluja" in rhythmic concord - to me a musical image of all creation praising God.

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Music

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• Bach BWV 4 Cantatas

[KriBlackRoson]

That's nice... however, I sang only Sopran Solo and the last chorus. It was a great experience and well, maybe some other time it will be like that.

Thanks for your info

[1banders]

@KriBlackRoson In Bach's day, the soloists (called concertists) didn't just sing the solos. They also sang in the choruses. In fact, a chorus would often be sung by just the 4 concertists (SATB). Additional singers, called ripienists, were optionally added to double the concertists in choruses.

[amadeusforever1]

j'adore!! 

[KriBlackRoson]

this is wonderful, I'm so proud I will sing this next month... I have the solo, but to be honest I would love to sing the chorus, it's AMAZING, real music <3<3<3

wunderbar, vielen dank Herr Bach *.*

[handyman109]

An atmospheric piece beautifully delivered.