Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4

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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 

  1. Sinfonia
  2. Versus 1: Christ lag in Todes Banden
  3. Versus 2: Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt
  4. Versus 3: Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn
  5. Versus 4: Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg
  6. Versus 5: Hier ist das rechte Osterlamm
  7. Versus 6: So feiern wir das hohe Fest
  8. 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]

  1. ↑ Dellal, Pamela. "BWV 4 - Christ lag in Todes Banden". www.emmanuelmusic.org. Emmanuel Music. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "Bach digital - Christ lag in Todesbanden [Frühfassung] BWV 4.1". www.bach-digital.de. Bach Digital. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  4. ↑ Smith, Craig. "BWV 4". www.emmanuelmusic.org. Emmanuel Music.
  5. ↑ 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]

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