CDXXXVI. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #199: Mein Herze Schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199

CDXXXVI. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)

Cantata #199: Mein Herze Schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199 (1714)
1. Recitativo (Soprano): Mein Herze schwimmt in Blut
2. Aria (Soprano): Stumme Seufzer, stille Klagen
3. Recitativo (Soprano): Doch Gott muß mir genädig sein
4. Aria (Soprano): Tief gebückt und voller Reue
5. Recitativo (Soprano): Auf diese Schmerzensreu
6. Choral (Soprano): Ich, dein betrübtes Kind
7. Recitativo (Soprano): Ich lege mich in diese Wunden
8. Aria (Soprano): Wie freudig ist mein Herz
Julia Doyle, soprano
Netherlands Bach Society
Alfredo Bernardini, cond.
(23:53)

Schlosskirche, Weimar

Bach's obligation of having to write a new cantata at least once a month can only be seen as a divine miracle. That such music comes down to us more than 300 years later is a gift beyond measure.

Did he only have one boy available that Sunday? [boys usually sang the soprano role.]

In any case, despite a small instrumental force, this cantata is filled with variation, on texts bearing on a sinner seeking redemption.

1. Recitativo (Soprano): Mein Herze schwimmt in Blut

Accompanied by strings and continuo:

My heart is deep distressed
By brooding sins oppressed
Which make my God believe me a monster manifest
My conscience nevre gives me peace
But like the fiends of Hell from torment will not cease
O hated load of sin!
'Twas Adam's fall with which our troubles did begin
And thou, thou tainted seed of Adam
Hast robbed my soul of all repose
And caused the door of Heav'n to close!
Ah! unexampled grief!
I hope for no relief
My heart is comfortless and withered
How can I seek those holy places
Where dwells the Lord to Whom the Angels veil their faces?

2. Aria (Soprano): Stumme Seufzer, stille Klagen

This Da Capo aria is accompanied only by the oboe and continuo. The middle, unrepeated section begins with a D-Flat Major chord over a C bass, an incredible dissonance to go along with the text Streams of tears ...

Silent sighing, soundless grieving
Speak the pain my heart, perceiving
Cannot by my lips express
Streams of tears in torrents flowing
Tell the fallings which, well knowing
I in pentitence confess
My heart is but a well of tears, my tired eyes hot with weeping
Ah God! would they again in peace were sleeping

3. Recitativo (Soprano): Doch Gott muß mir genädig sein

Again accompanied by strings, the recitative ends with the subject of repentence:

But God indeed must pity me
My head is heaped with ashes
And tears bedim my drooping lashes
My heart repentent at my folly
Is filled with melancholy
God pity me a sinner!
It must His wrath allay
To hear my spirit say:

4. Aria (Soprano): Tief gebückt und voller Reue

Da Capo aria in E-flat Major, 3/4 ... notice the short Adagio in the unrepeated section -- on the world geduld (patience) ...

5. Recitativo (Soprano): Auf diese Schmerzensreu

6. Choral (Soprano): Ich, dein betrübtes Kind

A short secco recitative, followed by the only choral movement, with an obbligato viola ...

In grief and penitence
I voice my faith and confidence

Thy grieving children, we
Surrender all to Thee
Our many grave transgressions
Our faults and indiscretions
For thru Thy tribulation
Is come our sure salvation

7. Recitativo (Soprano): Ich lege mich in diese Wunden
8. Aria (Soprano): Wie freudig ist mein Herz

The mood changes. The recitative ends with a melisma on the word fröhlich (joy); the aria (12/8, B-Flat Major) is a gigue, filled with the happiness and joy found after repentence: