Cantata BWV 136
2011, April 3
JS Bach Cantata BWV 136: Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz
(Search me, God, and learn my heart)
Eighth Sunday after Trinity July 18, 1723
Scoring: Horn, Oboe d'amore I,II, Violin I,II, Viola, Organ, Continuo
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Bärenreiter vol 7; p 289
Reading: Epistle Romans 8:12-17
Reading: Gospel Matthew 7:15-23
Words: Unknown librettist
Bach Bibliography
Recordings
Discussion
Literature
Dürr p 453-456
Whittaker vol 1 p 349-354
Green p 301-303
Terry vol 2 p 398
Stephen A. Crist in Boyd p 156
1 Chorus: Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz; prüfe mich und erfahre, wie ichs meine!
Green says the horn part is critical and very difficult, requiring an expert player. Twenty years later this piece was reworked into the Cum Sancto Spiritu from the Mass in A Major BWV 234.
Compare with the first movement, here in an mp3 file.
You can find more information here.
Dürr says of this piece that it is of indifferent quality and exhibits a certain lack of purposefulness in its development. Whittaker says in spite of the splendid and animated counterpoint, it fails to grip.
Some musicians are dissatisfied with this work, but most find it pleasant listening. Stephen Crist finds the music at odds with the text. In the process of making the videos for YouTube, I have listened to it many times and have grown very fond of the entire cantata.
2 Tenor recitative: Ach, daß der Fluch, so dort die Erde schlägt
Straight secco statement.
3 Alto aria: Es kömmt ein Tag
Green says this part contains a prominent and fairly difficult oboe d'amore solo. Crist (in Boyd) says that there is some evidence that this piece was composed earlier.
4 Bass recitative: Die Himmel selber sind nicht rein
Again a straight declaration.
5 Tenor bass aria: Uns treffern zwar der Sünden Flecken,
Bach calls for violin I,II in unison; Green recommends treating as a solo part, calls it very difficult. Dürr part imitative and part homophonic writing for the voices, this movement closely resembles the secular duets of the Cöthen years. Whittaker p352 says of this section: The tenor bass duet is not devoid of charm, but it is not a success as a whole and is evidently patched up from some previous work.
6 Chorale: Wo soll ich fliehen hin verse 9
Discussion of chorale on Bach Cantatas.com
C.S. Terry comments on the chorale in a PDF excerpt
Horn doubles soprano; it goes above the standard range for modern instrument here and in part one. Green says the horn part may require editing.
The music
BWV 136.1 and 136.2 Koopman
BWV 136.3 and 136.4 Koopman
BWV 136.5 and 136.6 Koopman
Music on Bach Cantatas.com
Cum Sancto Spiritu from BWV 234
Here is a PDF file of the Sanctus in old clefs.
BWV 136.1 mp3
Here is a PDF file of BWV 136.1 in old clefs
Instruments and voices for each part
| Section | Instruments, voices |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chorus, oboe, oboe d'amore, violin I,II, viola, continuo (NBA: organ) |
| 2 | Tenor recitative, continuo (NBA: organ) |
| 3 | Alto aria, oboe d'amore, continuo (NBA: organ) |
| 4 | Bass recitative, continuo (NBA: organ) |
| 5 | Tenor bass duet aria, violin I,II, continuo (NBA: organ) |
| 6 | Chorale SATB, violin I obbligato with descant melody, horn, oboe I,II with soprano, violin II with alto, viola with tenor, continuo (NBA: organ) |
Biblical references for each part
References for the text: King James Bible
| Scripture | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 139:23 | Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts |
| 1 | Psalm 139:23 | Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz; prüfe mich und erfahre, wie ich's meine |
References
Emmanuel Notes BWV 136.
Emmanuel Translation BWV 136.
Discussion from Bach Cantatas Website.
Recordingsfrom Bach Cantatas Website.
Classical.net discussion, Simon Crouch.
John Eliot Gardiner Cantatas Recording.
WikiPedia article
From Julian Mincham
