J.S. Bach: Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget, BWV 64 - Church Cantatas, Vol. 158

BWV64 (27 December 1723) is one of those cantatas that linger in one’s mind from the moment one has heard it firSt This is probably due to the `Sehet!’ figure which is heard all through the fine opening chorus, a motet in the old style with independent continuo. The cries of `Sehet!’ contrast with the enormous runs on `erzeiget’. The chorale which follows the chorus explains how it could be that we became God’s children: `Das hat Er [Christ] alles uns getan.’ The alto recitative with its scales expressive of the flight from this earth, ends with a colon: the following chorale expresses the same idea of the renouncement of worldly goods. A splendid aria is now sung by the soprano, with a fine violin tune indicating how these worldly goods will vanish in smoke; the ascending runs are the same as in the recitative. Another recitative, this one for the bass, leads to the last aria which once more contrasts heaven and earth; the `nichts, nichts’ is thrown away to show that we care not for this world, while