Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

Nov 14, 1723

Publication Date

:

1872

First Performance

:

Nov 14, 1723

Average_duration

:

12:41

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Johann Sebastian Bach composed Cantata No. 90, Es reisset euch ein schrecklich Ende, BWV 90, in 1723 during his first year as the Thomaskantor in Leipzig. The cantata was premiered on November 14, 1723, as part of the liturgy for the 24th Sunday after Trinity. The cantata is structured in six movements, with a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement is a chorale fantasia based on the hymn "Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit," which sets the tone for the entire work with its ominous and foreboding character. The second movement is a recitative for bass, which warns the listener of the impending doom that awaits those who do not repent. The third movement is an aria for alto, which expresses the fear and trembling that one should feel in the face of God's wrath. The fourth movement is a duet for soprano and tenor, which offers a glimmer of hope in the form of a prayer for mercy. The fifth movement is a recitative for tenor, which reminds the listener of the inevitability of death and judgment. The final movement is a chorale setting of the hymn "Wie bist du, Seele, in mir so gar betrübt," which provides a comforting conclusion to the work. The cantata's text is based on a combination of biblical passages and hymn texts, and it is notable for its emphasis on the themes of judgment, repentance, and salvation. The music is characterized by Bach's masterful use of counterpoint, chromaticism, and expressive dissonance, which serve to heighten the emotional impact of the text. The chorale fantasia, in particular, is a tour de force of Bach's compositional technique, with its intricate interplay between the choir and the instrumental ensemble. Overall, Cantata No. 90 is a powerful and moving work that showcases Bach's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the theological themes that underlie the Lutheran liturgy.

More....