J.S. Bach / Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, BWV 125 (Herreweghe)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Cantata BWV 125: Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin (2 February 1725)

1. Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin (Chorus)
2. Ich will auch mit gebrochnen Augen (Aria: A) 05:27
3. O Wunder, daß ein Herz (Recitative: B) 13:19
4. Ein unbegreiflich Licht erfüllt den ganzen Kreis der Erden (Duet: T, B) 15:36
5. O unerschöpfter Schatz der Güte (Recitative: A) 20:55
6. Er ist das Heil und selig Licht (Chorale) 21:37

Soloists:
Alto: Ingeborg Danz
Tenor: Mark Padmore
Bass: Peter Kooy

Performed by Collegium Vocale Gent under the direction of Philippe Herreweghe. Recorded by Harmonia Mundi France in 1998.

"Bach composed the cantata 'Mit Fried und Freud' for the feast of the Purification on 2 February 1725. Here, the opening chorus is in 12/8 time, which is almost always associated with a peaceful, pastoral mood. Here it is the expressive key of E minor, which, raised to monumental heights, will re-appear in the opening chorus of the St. Matthew Passion. The chorale is sung in long note values by the soprano accompanied by the lower voices of the chorus in densely textured imitation, and which takes up the serenely elegiac movement of the instrumental ritornello theme. Only twice does Bach interrupt the pattern: at the words 'sanft und stille' all the voices drop into a sudden 'piano' and even the lively rhythm of the vocal part gives way to a more tranquil measure. The contrast of the 'forte' on the next words, 'wie Gott mir verheißen hat' is all the more convincing in relation to the preceding words. Once again Bach leads the vocal part into a quiet, even tenor for the final line of the chorale, 'der Tod ist mein Schlaf worden.' " - Thomas Seedorf

Painting: Still Life with Three Medlars, Adriaen Coorte

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