J.S. Bach: Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 38 - The Church Cantatas, Vol. 134

Cantata 38 ‘Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir’ was composed for 29 October 1724 (two weeks later), the 21st Sunday after Trinity. It is a chorale cantata on the well-known ‘Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir’, Luther’s adaptation of psalm 130, the main text for this particular Sunday in the church year. The melody is not only heard in the vocal parts, as in the introductory and somewhat old-fashioned motet and the final chorale, but surprisingly enough in the basso continuo part too in the soprano recitative No.4. Here Bach gave the instruction ‘a battuta’ – play in time. In the opening chorus the complete instrumental ensemble, including no less than four trombones, plays ‘colla parte’ with the fourpart choir. The cantata’s initial cry for help is answered in the tenor aria No.3 by words of comfort. Helped by two trusty oboes, the tenor remains optimistic with his syncopated rhythms. After a trio for soprano, alto and bass, concealing a variation on the chorale melody, the work ends with a simple chorale for th