J.S. Bach: Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut, BWV 113 - The Church Cantatas, Vol. 74

Bach composed Cantata 113 ‘Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut’ for 20 August 1724, the 11th Sunday after Trinity. It is a typical chorale cantata, in which the chorale tune ‘Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut’ has left its mark on no less than four different movements. It is first introduced in the opening chorus, where it is sung line for line by the sopranos. In the following chorale (No.2) the same tune is heard without ornamentation in the alto, frequently interrupted by instrumental refrains featuring descending scale motifs. Commentators have suggested that these motifs were inspired by the words ‘wer sich selbst erniedrigt’. In the recitative ‘Jedoch dein heilsam Wort’ the chorale tune is sung by the bass, in combination with a most lively basso continuo. In the duet ‘Ach Herr, mein Gott’ (No.7) Bach has again incorporated the chorale melody, though less conspicuously, less completely and with more embellishment. Finally, the chorale tune is heard once more in the final chorale. In Leipzig the