J. S. Bach: Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4 The Church Cantatas, Vol. 139

BWV4 is one of Bachs earliest cantatas (24 April 1707 ), and yet one of his masterpieces. It takes Luthers Easter hymn Christ lag in Todesbanden and uses all seven stanzas. It has a fine symmetrical structure: Chorus DuetAriaChorusAriaDuetChorus. A short sinfonia goes before which prepares for the hymn tune, almost hesitating to let it hear in full. The opening chorus is a fine chorale fantasia in which all chorale lines are prepared in the three lower voices before being sung complete by the soprano. At the word fröhlich there is joy all round, intensified in the instrumental interlude. The alla breve Hallelujah is exhilarating, the ecstatic violin high up joining in the feast The second verse is a superb soprano, alto duet. The repetition of den Tod stresses that really no one can force death; the continuo figure is repeated time and again, and the two voice lines echo each other and then come together in a sublime way. The next verse has the tenor singing the tune, with violins playing