DXXI. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)
1. [Coro]: Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erlösen
The choral text is from Romans 7:24, but the trumpet and oboe play a separate chorale melody in canon:
The vocal texture thickens as the movement progresses. The G Minor feeling of wretchedness matches the text perfectly.
O wretched man I, and who will deliver me, from this sinful body?
2. Recitativo (Alto): O Schmerz, o Elend, so mich trifft
An expressive recitative, continuing the theme of misery:
O woe and misery is mine
The venom of my sin
Within my veins and vitals rages!
The world a house of sickness and and of death
My racked and tortured body
Will find no rest but in its coffin
The soul, above all suffers the poison's curse
By which its strength is wasted
So, when at last the pains of death are nigh
And when the bitter cup is tasted
About to die, it gives a fervent sigh
3. Choral (Coro): Solls ja so sein
This expressive chorale resonates from the opening movement with a hopeful text:
Look at the part-writing in these final three bars!
Let grief and woe
On earth below
Atone for our transgression
That we above
May gain God's love
Thru Jesus' intercession
4. Aria (Alto): Ach lege das Sodom der sündlichen Glieder
A songlike duet with Alto and oboe, praying to save the soul ...
Destroy if Thou wilt Sodom's sinladen members
Reduce Thou my body to ashes and embers
But save Thou my spirit, at last make it pure
To dwell with Three ever devout and secure
5. Recitativo (Tenore): Hier aber tut des Heilands Hand
The dead will be saved:
Unto the dead show many wonders
Whene'er the soul as dead appeareth
The body weak, its last hour neareth
'Tis then that Jesus' might is shown
He can relax death's rigor
The soul restore, the body give new vigor
6. Aria (Tenore): Vergibt mir Jesus meine Sünden
The textual motif of hopeful salvation continues in this lilting aria:
Again my heart and soul are sound
At His command a dead man liveth
And strength to feeble souls He giveth
By ancient promise is He bound
That we by faith may all be shriven
7. Choral (Coro): Herr Jesu Christ, einiger Trost
The cantata concludes with a chorale harmonization of the original cantus firmus:
My heart, O Lord, is sore distressed
With all the woes that grieve it
And since to Thee 'tis manifest
Thou canst and will relieve it
So at Thy side I take my stand
To live and strive at Thy command
For I am Thine forever
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