Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chorale

Compose Date

:

before 1751

Publication Date

:

1784 - 1787

Average_duration

:

1:08

'Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen, BWV 259' is a sacred aria composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. The piece was composed in the early 18th century, during Bach's tenure as the Kapellmeister at the court of Weimar. The aria is part of a larger collection of sacred works known as the Neumeister Collection, which was compiled by Bach's contemporary, Johann Gottfried Neumeister. The premiere of 'Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen, BWV 259' is not known, as the Neumeister Collection was not published until the 20th century. However, it is likely that the piece was performed in a church setting, as it is a sacred work. The aria is composed in a single movement, and is scored for a solo voice and continuo. The text of the aria is a hymn by Johann Heermann, which reflects on the sinful nature of humanity and the need for redemption. The music is characterized by its simple, yet expressive melody, which is accompanied by a rich and varied continuo part. One of the most notable characteristics of 'Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen, BWV 259' is its use of chromaticism. Throughout the piece, Bach employs chromatic harmonies and melodic lines to convey the sense of sin and redemption in the text. This use of chromaticism is particularly effective in the final lines of the aria, where the music shifts from a minor key to a major key, reflecting the hope and joy of redemption. Overall, 'Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen, BWV 259' is a beautiful and poignant sacred aria that showcases Bach's mastery of melody, harmony, and expression. Its use of chromaticism and its simple yet powerful melody make it a timeless work that continues to resonate with audiences today.

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