Christ lag in Todes Banden

Christ lag in Todes Banden BWV 4 (Christ lay in death's bonds) is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Related Topics:
BWV - Cantata - Johann Sebastian Bach

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was written for Easter, probably in 1707, and it is probably related to Bach's move from Arnstadt to Mülhausen. It is based on a chorale of the same name by Martin Luther, which is used by Bach as a cantus firmus throughout the entire piece.

Related Topics:
Easter - 1707 - Arnstadt - Mülhausen - Chorale - Martin Luther - Cantus firmus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The piece is written for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, two violins, two violas da gamba and basso continuo. It is in eight movements, all in E minor:

Related Topics:
Soprano - Alto - Tenor - Bass - Violins - Violas da gamba - Basso continuo - E minor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Sinfonia
• Versus I: "Christ lag in Todes Banden" - The alto, tenor, and bass voices sing free counterpoint, while the cantus firmus is sung by the soprano in unadorned, long notes.
• Versus II: "Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt" ("Nobody could overcome death") - for soprano, alto and continuo.
• Versus III: "Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn" ("Jesus Christ, Son of God") - for tenor and continuo with obliggato violin.
• Versus IV: "Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg" ("There was a wondrous war") - for soprano, alto, tenor, bass and continuo.
• Versus V: "Hier ist das rechte Osterlamm" ("Here is the true Easter Lamb") - for bass, strings and continuo.
• Versus VI: "So feiern wir das hohe Fest" ("So we celebrate the high feast") - for soprano, tenor and continuo.
• Versus VII: "Wir essen und leben wohl" ("We eat and live well") - A chorale, sung and played by the whole ensemble.

In modern performance and recordings, practice varies as to whether or not the aria and duet movements of BWV 4 are to be sung with soloists rather than with a full choir. The Bach-Gesellschaft and Neue Bach Ausgabe score editions do not have the printed indications of "aria" and "duet" over the relevant movements that are common in the later cantatas. Given the lack of direct evidence, it is presently impossible to determine what Bach's own wishes regarding this particular piece were.

Related Topics:
Bach-Gesellschaft - Neue Bach Ausgabe

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Christ lag in Todes Banden: Recordings ►