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Subject Area: Music
Subject Area: Religion

Cantata CXXXI.: Aus der Tiefe rufe ich, Herr, zu dir (1707-8) 1 - Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 2 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Cantatas and Motetts [1917]

Edition used:

Bach’s Chorals. Part I: 2 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Cantatas and Motetts, by Charles Sanford Terry (Cambridge University Press, 1915-1921). 3 vols. Vol. 2.

Part of: Bach’s Chorals, 3 vols.

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Cantata CXXXI.

Aus der Tiefe rufe ich, Herr, zu dir (1707-8)1

The Hymn and Choral melody which Bach uses in the second and fourth movements of the Cantata are Bartholomaus Ringwaldt’s Lenten Hymn, “Herr Jesu Christ, du hochstes Gut” (see Cantatas 48 and 113).

(a)

The Choral words of the second movement are the second stanza of Ringwaldt’s Hymn:

  • Erbarm’ dich mein in solcher Last,
  • Nimm sie aus meinem Herzen,
  • Dieweil du sie gebusset hast
  • Am Holz mit2 Todesschmerzen:
  • Auf dass ich nicht mit3 grossem Weh
  • In meinen Sunden untergeh’,
  • Noch4 ewiglich verzage5 .

  • B.G. xxviii. 11.

Form. Duetto for Soprano and Bass, the former having the Choral melody, while the Bass independently sings verses iii and iv of Psalm cxxx (Oboe, Continuo)6 .

(b)

The Choral words of the fourth movement are the fifth stanza of Ringwaldt’s Hymn:

  • Und weil ich denn in meinem Sinn,
  • Wie ich zuvor geklaget,
  • Auch ein betrübter Sunder bin,
  • Den sein Gewissen naget,
  • Und wollte gern1 im Blute dein
  • Von Sünden abgewaschen2 sein,
  • Wie David und Manasse.

  • B.G. xxviii. 20.

Form. Duetto for Alto and Tenor, the Alto having the Choral melody while the Tenor sings independently verse vi of Psalm cxxx (Continuo)3 .

[1 ] The Score does not indicate the occasion for which the Cantata was composed. The B.G. edition bears the statement, “Componirt zu Mühlhausen 1707-1708.”

[2 ] 1588 im.

[3 ] 1588 fur.

[4 ] 1588 Und.

[5 ] 1588 vorzage.

[6 ] See Spitta, i. 451, on the construction of this movement.

[1 ] 1588 gerne mocht.

[2 ] 1588 absoluiret.

[3 ] See Spitta, i. 454.