J.S. Bach: Ach, lieben Christen, seid getrost, BWV 114 - The Church Cantatas, Vol. 131

Cantata 114 ‘Ach, lieben Christen, seid getrost’ is for the 17th Sunday after Trinity, and was performed on 1 October 1724. It is another typical chorale cantata from Bach’s first Leipzig cycle, with a chorus and chorale to begin and end the work. The chorale melody in the soprano of the opening chorus is anticipated in the instrumental introduction. Notable is the suggestive role of the oboe, with its repeated notes and trills. A similarly striking role is given to the flute in the succeeding tenor aria (No.2), where even without words Bach gives a most realistic rendition of the ‘Jammertale’ (vale of tears). In No.4 the simple, unornamented chorale melody in the soprano is combined with a most lively bass line, full of whimsical rests, illustrating instrumentally what the soprano sings in all simplicity: the wheat grain is barren unless it falls in the earth. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Artists: Netherlands Bach Collegium, Pieter Jan Leusink (conductor), Holland Boys Choir, Knut Schoch (Tenore