Bach Cantata essay question

Page 1

· Characteristic features of Lutheran Church Music in the late Baroque era "Ich elender Mensch" (2013 A2 music)

Written 3rd October 1723 for the 19th Sunday after Trinity

Text is in German not in Latin (not Catholic)

Cantus Firmus (a pre-existing melody line) in movement 1 in the Trumpet and oboe line in imitation (14 beat 3 to 20)

Mixture of secular and bible texts (Chorus).

Structure - multi movement work consisting of chorus, recitative, aria, chorale (4 out of 7)

Use of a chorale - the congregation can sing as well as the church choir

Instrumentation is characteristic of the late baroque era - small orchestra, no percussion, organ continuo, SATB and soloists

Oboe obbligato in 4

Functional harmony - suspensions (9-10 movement 3) and tierce de Picardie (138 in G minor but ends with G major chord)

Word painting - angular melody writing in the Recitative.

Page 2

· Sense of despair in I and II of "Ich elender Mensch" (2011 A2 music)

Tonality in 1 is G minor, and modulates to other minor keys i.e. D minor (42)

Melody of 1 the rising 6th then descending pattern for "Ich elender Mensch.."

False relation (4-5) between the F# in the viola and F natural in the continuo.

7-6 suspension (21)

Use of diminished 7th chords in both movements

Movement 2 is tonally ambiguous

Fast harmonic rhythm in Movement 2 - changes key almost every bar, Eb (1) to F minor (2)

Word painting in Movement 2 - angular melody line, "Schmerz" descending 6th

The use of rests in Movement 2 create a disjointed feel, free speech rhythms

Remote modulations - to E (10-11)