J.S. Bach: The Church Cantatas, Vol. 17: Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136

The opening chorus of BWV 136 (18 July 1723), the prayer of Psalm 139 for God to search our hearts, is a beautiful fugue, the fugue proper being preceded by the sopranos singing the theme. It has been suggested that the work is based on an older cantata, but the chorus works very well in its own right. It was reused by Bach in the Mass in A BWV 234. An expressive tenor recitative is followed by an alto aria with a beautifully flowing line for the oboe d’amore. `Erzittern’ is graphically illustrated. The more lively middle part deals with God’s anger over hypocrisy. After a bass recitative with an attractive arioso there is a tenor/bass duet with an interesting violin part, the violin `falling’ on `Adams Fall’, and with long runs on `Strom’. A beautiful fifth voice for the violin characterizes the final chorale. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Artists: Netherlands Bach Collegium, Holland Boys Choir, Pieter Jan Leusink (conductor), Nico van der Meel (Tenore), Sytse Buwalda (Alto) & Bas Ramselaar (