J.S. Bach: The Church Cantatas, Vol. 46: Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin, BWV 144

Cantata 144 `Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin’ was composed for Sunday Septuagesima, 6 February 1724, and therefore belongs to Bach’s first cycle of cantatas for Leipzig. Despite the fact that the surviving manuscript is unquestionably in Bach’s hand, doubt has been cast on the authorship of the work by reason of the nature of the first movement. This opening chorus, in which independent instrumental phrases are absent, is a strict choral fugue in motet style in which the instruments double the voices. In the following alto aria (No.2) man is summoned to accept his existence as it is. Rebellious grumbling is illustrated by obstinate, repeated quavers: ‘Murre nicht, lieber Christ’. In the expressive duet between soprano and oboe d’amore (No.5) the virtues of sobriety and modesty are praised in the words ‘Genügsamkeit ist ein Schatz in diesem Leben’. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Artists: Netherlands Bach Collegium, Pieter Jan Leusink (conductor), Holland Boys Choir, Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Knut