Examine me, God, an inquire my heart
Cantata for the 8th Sunday after Trinity BWV 136, 1723
The cantata “Erforsche mich Gott und erfahre mein Herz” BWV 136 was composed in Bach’s first year as Kantor of St. Thomas’s in Leipzig and was first performed on the 8th Sunday after Trinity, the 18th July 1723. The librettist is unknown. The title of the cantata is taken from verse 23 of Psalm 139: “Erforsche mich Gott und erfahre mein Herz; prüfe mich und erfahre, wie ich’s meine.” (Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts) The opening chorus forms an extended fugue, framed by string writing bursting with energy. The obbligato horn accentuates and enriches the movement with a special tonal color. The alto aria in F sharp minor (movement 3) comprises a trio movement with an oboe d’amore as solo instrument in a contrasting range – a presto middle section which dramatically charges the words “Denn seines Eifers Grimm vernichtet” (“For the fury of its zeal will destroy”). In the duet (movement 5) the text is sung by tenor and bass line by line, sometimes imitating contrapuntally, and sometimes both singing together dramatically in homophonic writing. A simple chorale setting to the melody “Auf meinen lieben Gott” concludes the cantata. Particularly charming here is the violin which joins the four vocal parts as an independent part.
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Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach
| 1685-1750Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the most important composers of Western music history. He came from a widely ramified musical dynasty, which produced numerous musicians and organists in the Thuringian-Saxon area.
Bach vocal
Ever since Carus-Verlag was founded in 1972, publishing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach has been a special focus for us. In the 2017 Reformation anniversary year we completed the Bach vocal project. Bach's complete sacred vocal works are now available in modern Urtext editions, together with performance material. A complete edition of all the full scores is also available in a high quality box set. Personal details
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Editor
Christiane Hausmann
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Translator
Henry Drinker
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