J. S. Bach: Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht, BWV 124 The Church Cantatas, Vol. 171

BWV124 (7 January 1725) is based on the hymn Meinem Jesum lass ich nicht, which is heard only in the first and last number, the other verses being paraphrased in recitatives and arias. The chorus has a fine oboe part, the treatment of the chorale is fairly straightforward, the sopranos singing the tune with the other voices supporting; when they sing kleben on a long note the opening orchestral motives are heard once more. After a recitative the tenor sings a strong, rhythmic aria, followed by a bass recitative and then a soprano, alto duet in which the music is expressive of the hurry of the heart away from the world, heavenward. The cantata finishes with a splendidly harmonized chorale. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Artists: Netherlands Bach Collegium, Pieter Jan Leusink (conductor), Holland Boys Choir, Knut Schoch (Tenore), Bas Ramselaar (Basso), Sytse Buwalda (Alto) Ruth Holton (Soprano) Online purchase or streaming (Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, Deezer): , 12