J.S. Bach: Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe, BWV 156 - The Church Cantatas, Vol. 179

It is hard to see why BWV156 (23 January 1729) should not hold the same position among Bach lovers as BWV106, the Actus Tragicus. The less appealing title might explain this. The theme is the same: the Christian hope in the face of death. The opening sinfonia must surely rank among Bachs most beautiful melodies, the shy accompanying violins creating a fitting atmosphere for the rest of the cantata. The opening aria with chorale stays on the same high level. The beautiful melodic line both in the violins and in the tenor voice, with a long `standing’ note on steh, is set off by a tottering syncopic bass line indicating that the other foot is already in the grave. In the bass recitative resignation sets in after a hard struggle. In the alto aria words like Leiden, Sterben, Bitten und Flehen are clearly illustrated, as is Freude. After a second recitative the closing chorale on the words `Herr wie du willt’ stresses the leading thought of this wonderful work. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Art