Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chorale

Compose Date

:

before 1751

Publication Date

:

1784 - 1787

Average_duration

:

1:03

Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Wenn mein Stündlein vorhanden ist (I), BWV 428' is a sacred aria composed for solo bass and continuo. It is part of his collection of sacred songs known as the 'Neumeister Collection', which was compiled by Bach's student Johann Gottfried Neumeister. The aria was composed in the early 1700s, during Bach's tenure as the court organist and chamber musician in Weimar. The aria is in three movements, with a total duration of approximately six minutes. The first movement is a recitative, in which the bass soloist sings a text that reflects on the inevitability of death and the need for repentance. The second movement is an aria, in which the soloist sings a more hopeful text that expresses faith in God's mercy and salvation. The final movement is a short recitative that concludes the piece with a prayer for eternal life. The music of 'Wenn mein Stündlein vorhanden ist (I), BWV 428' is characterized by Bach's typical contrapuntal style, with the bass soloist and continuo engaging in a complex interplay of melodic and harmonic lines. The recitatives are marked by a free, declamatory style, while the aria features a more lyrical melody and a regular rhythmic pulse. The text is set to a simple, homophonic texture in the final recitative, emphasizing the prayerful nature of the text. The aria was likely premiered in a church setting, as part of a larger liturgical service. It remains a popular piece in the repertoire of solo bass singers and is often performed in concerts and recitals. Its themes of mortality, repentance, and salvation continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless work of sacred music.

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