Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4
Christ lag in Todes Banden ("Christ lay in death's bonds"),[1] BWV 4, is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is one of Bach's earliest cantatas. It was written for Easter Sunday.[2]: 263 The cantata is based on the hymn "Christ lag in Todesbanden" by Martin Luther.
History
[change | change source]The cantata may have been written in 1707. At the time, Bach was working in Mühlhausen.[3] Bach performed the cantata again in Leipzig.[4] He changed parts of the cantata. However, the changes were not big.[2]: 264
Music
[change | change source]The cantata is written for SATB choir, a cornetto, three trombones, two violins, a viola, and basso continuo. The cornetto and trombones play in unison with the choir. The cantata has eight movements:[2]: 262
- Sinfonia
- Versus 1: Christ lag in Todes Banden
- Versus 2: Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt
- Versus 3: Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn
- Versus 4: Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg
- Versus 5: Hier ist das rechte Osterlamm
- Versus 6: So feiern wir das hohe Fest
- Versus 7: Wir essen und leben wohl
Every movement has the melody of the hymn tune. Unlike many of Bach's other cantatas, BWV 4 does not have any recitatives.[5]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Dellal, Pamela. "BWV 4 - Christ lag in Todes Banden". www.emmanuelmusic.org. Emmanuel Music. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dürr, Alfred (2006). The cantatas of J.S. Bach : with their librettos in German-English parallel text. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-929776-4.
- ↑ "Bach digital - Christ lag in Todesbanden [Frühfassung] BWV 4.1". www.bach-digital.de. Bach Digital. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ↑ Smith, Craig. "BWV 4". www.emmanuelmusic.org. Emmanuel Music.
- ↑ Mincham, Julian. "Chapter 42 BWV 4 & BWV 42, each commencing with a sinfonia". The Cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project