Christ lag in Todesbanden

Christ lag in Todesbanden BWV 4 (“Christ lay in the bonds of dead”) is a Cantate of Johann Sebastian Bach.

It was made up for Easter, probably in 1707, which does of them one of the very first cantatas composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is founded on a Choral same name of Martin Luther, which is used by Bach like Cantus firmus throughout the part.

The part is written for Soprano, viola, Ténor, low, two Violon S, two violas da gamba and Basse continues. It breaks up into eight parts, all in semi minor:

  1. Sinfonia

  2. Verse I: Christ lag in Todes Banden
  3. Verse II: Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt
  4. Verse III: Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn
  5. Verse IV: Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg
  6. Verse V: Yesterday STI das rechte Osterlamm
  7. Verse VI: So feiern to wir das hohe Fest
  8. Verse VII: Wir essen und leben wohl

This cantata is perhaps one of most famous of Bach. Bach was with Mülhausen at the period of Easter 1707 and 1708, and by a comparison with manuscripts of this time one can conclude that the cantata was probably completed in 1708. This cantata was revised for its execution with Leipzig in 1724 and 1725, with the addition - inter alia - of part of Trombone. The final choral was added for the execution of 1725.

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