Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)

“Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sons”

(Thou very God and David’s son)

BWV 23


Event:
Cantata for Quinquagesima Sunday [Estomihi]

Readings:
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13; Gospel: Luke 18: 31-43

[Test piece for the position of Cantor at St Thomas’s, Leipzig]

Composed:
Köthen/Leipzig, 1723

1st performance: February 7, 1723 – Leipzig
2nd performance: February 20, 1724 - Leipzig

Text:
Luke 18: 31 & 34 (Mvt. 1)
Elisabeth Kreuziger (Mvt. 5)
Anon (Mvts. 2-4)

Scoring:
Soloists: Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-part Chorus (the soloists serve as the choir)
Orchestra: oboe, 2 violins, viola, continuo


Mvt. 1: Aria - Duet (00:00)
Mvt. 2: Recitative (07:01)
Mvt. 3: Chorus (08:26)
Mvt. 4: Chorale (11:40)

Soprano: Midori Suzuki
Alto: Yoshikazu Mera
Tenor: Gerd Türk

Bach Collegium Japan

Masaaki Suzuki

May 1998, at the Kobe Shoin Women's University Chapel, Japan.