Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erlösen, BWV 48

Wretched man that I, who shall deliver me ( BWV 48) is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig in 1723 for the 19th Sunday after Trinity.

History and words

Bach wrote the cantata in his first year in Leipzig in 1723 for the 19th Sunday after Trinity, and led them on October 3, the first time.

The prescribed readings are Ephesians 4.22-28 LUT and Mt 9:1-8 LUT, the healing of a paralytic. The opening chorus set to music Rom 7.24 LUT, the need of the sinner for salvation. The text of an unknown poet is inspired by the Gospel and pursues the idea that the soul healing requires more than the body. This reinforces a chorale as the third set, the fourth verse of Ach Gott und Herr (1604 ) by Martin Rutilius. After consideration, the 12.9 LUT based on Ps 88.11 LUT and 2 Corinthians, the cantata closes confident with Lord Jesus Christ, only comfort, the 12th verse of Lord Jesus Christ, I cry to Thee (Freiburg 1620).

Scoring and structure

The cantata is set for alto and tenor, four -part choir, trumpet, two oboes, two violins, viola and basso continuo.

Music

An instrumental chorale melody is quoted in the opening chorus. You can be the highest on Bartholomew Ringwaldts words Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Good relation, but also on the closing hymn, which was sung to the same melody, then the first verse would be quoted. This cantus firmus is played by the trumpet in the canon with the oboes. The strings introduce topics that act as votes against the plaintive voices.

A accompanied by sustained tones of the strings recitative leads to a chorale which decides the theme of the first section in expressive harmonization.

In great contrast to bring in the following aria voice and oboe as equal partners childish Please expressed to spare the soul. A rich set of strings with oboe accompanied in the last aria the tenor, a dance rhythm is enlivened by hemiolas.

Recordings

  • Wretched man that I, who shall deliver me. Rudolf Lutz, choir and orchestra of the JS Bach Foundation, Ruth Sandhoff, John Kaleschke, Gallus Media, St. Gallen 2007
Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis Epistle to the Ephesians Psalms Second Epistle to the Corinthians Werner Neumann Christoph Wolff Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3 Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 33 Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39 Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42 Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, BWV 68 Alles nur nach Gottes Willen, BWV 72 Alles, was von Gott geboren, BWV 80a Bisher habt ihr nichts gebeten in meinem Namen, BWV 87 Ach, lieben Christen, seid getrost, BWV 114 Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 121 Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein, BWV 128 Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131 Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! BWV 132 Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136 Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens, BWV 148 Ach! ich sehe, itzt, da ich zur Hochzeit gehe, BWV 162 Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe, BWV 185 Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199 Entfliehet, verschwindet, entweichet, ihr Sorgen, BWV 249a St Mark Passion (Bach)
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