Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4
Christ lag in Todes Banden ("Christ lay in death's bonds"),[1] BWV 4, is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is one of Bach's earliest cantatas. It was written for Easter Sunday.[2]: 263 The cantata is based on the hymn "Christ lag in Todesbanden" by Martin Luther.
History
changeThe cantata may have been written in 1707. At the time, Bach was working in Mühlhausen.[3] Bach performed the cantata again in Leipzig.[4] He changed parts of the cantata. However, the changes were not big.[2]: 264
Music
changeThe cantata is written for SATB choir, a cornetto, three trombones, two violins, a viola, and basso continuo. The cornetto and trombones play in unison with the choir. The cantata has eight movements:[2]: 262
- Sinfonia
- Versus 1: Christ lag in Todes Banden
- Versus 2: Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt
- Versus 3: Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn
- Versus 4: Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg
- Versus 5: Hier ist das rechte Osterlamm
- Versus 6: So feiern wir das hohe Fest
- Versus 7: Wir essen und leben wohl
Every movement has the melody of the hymn tune. Unlike many of Bach's other cantatas, BWV 4 does not have any recitatives.[5]
References
change- ↑ Dellal, Pamela. "BWV 4 - Christ lag in Todes Banden". www.emmanuelmusic.org. Emmanuel Music. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dürr, Alfred (2006). The cantatas of J.S. Bach : with their librettos in German-English parallel text. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-929776-4.
- ↑ "Bach digital - Christ lag in Todesbanden [Frühfassung] BWV 4.1". www.bach-digital.de. Bach Digital. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ↑ Smith, Craig. "BWV 4". www.emmanuelmusic.org. Emmanuel Music.
- ↑ Mincham, Julian. "Chapter 42 BWV 4 & BWV 42, each commencing with a sinfonia". The Cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach. Retrieved 5 September 2022.