Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chorale

Compose Date

:

before 1751

Publication Date

:

1784 - 1787

Average_duration

:

0:49

'Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz (II), BWV 421' is a sacred aria composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. The piece was composed in the early 1720s, during Bach's tenure as the Kapellmeister at the court of Prince Leopold in Cöthen. The aria is part of a larger collection of sacred works known as the Neumeister Collection, which was compiled by Bach's friend and colleague, Georg Christian Schemelli. The aria is written for a solo voice accompanied by a continuo of harpsichord and cello. It is in the key of G minor and has a slow, mournful tempo. The text of the aria is taken from a hymn by Johann Franck, which speaks of the Christian's struggle with sin and the comfort that can be found in God's mercy. The aria is divided into two main sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section is marked by a descending chromatic melody in the vocal line, which creates a sense of melancholy and despair. The text of this section speaks of the Christian's sorrow and the weight of sin that weighs upon the heart. The second section of the aria is marked by a sudden shift to the major mode and a more hopeful melody in the vocal line. The text of this section speaks of the Christian's faith in God's mercy and the comfort that can be found in His love. The music is characterized by a sense of uplift and resolution, as the vocal line rises to a high note and then descends in a series of graceful melodic arcs. Overall, 'Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz (II), BWV 421' is a beautiful and deeply expressive aria that speaks to the human experience of struggle and redemption. Its combination of mournful and hopeful elements creates a powerful emotional impact that has made it a beloved piece of sacred music for centuries.

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