Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)

“Christ lag in Todesbanden”

(Christ lay in the Bonds of Death)

BWV 4


Event:
Chorale Cantata for the Easter Sunday

Readings:
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 5: 6-8; Gospel: Markus 16: 1-8

Composed:
Mühlhausen, 1707-1708; Revised: Leipzig, 1724 & 1725
1st performance: 1707-1708? - Mühlhausen
2nd performance: April 9, 1724 - Leipzig
3rd performance: April 1, 1725 - Leipzig

Text:
Martin Luther

Scoring:
Soloists: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-part Chorus
Orchestra: cornetto, 3 trombones, 2 violins, 2 violas, continuo

Mvt. 1: Sinfonia (00:00)
Mvt. 2: Chorus (01:13)
Mvt. 3: Duet (05:16)
Mvt. 4: Aria (08:58)
Mvt. 5: Chorus (10:54)
Mvt. 6: Aria (13:22)
Mvt. 7: Aria – Duet (16:00)
Mvt. 8: Chorale (17:29)


Soprano: Yumiko Kurisu
Alto: Akira Tachikawa
Tenor: Koki Katano; Bass: Peter Kooy

Bach Collegium Japan

Masaaki Suzuki

Jun-Jul 1995, at the Kobe Shoin Women's University Chapel, Japan.