Es ist das Heil uns kommen her
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Es ist das Heil uns kommen her (It is our salvation come here to us) is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. In Wolfgang Schmieder's catalogue of Bach's works, it is BWV 9. Johannes Brahms also wrote a motet of the same name based on the same text.
It was written in Leipzig for the sixth Sunday after Trinity, sometime between 1732 and 1735. It is based on a chorale of the same name by Paul Speratus.
The piece is written for flute, oboe d'amore, strings (violins, violas and basso continuo), vocal soloists and choir. It is in seven movements, in E major unless otherwise noted:
- Chorus: "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" - a gapped chorale setting of the tune. The alto, tenor, and bass voices sing free counterpoint, while the sopranos sing the chorale unadorned in long notes.
- Recitative: "Gott gab uns ein Gesetz" ("Got gave us a law") - for basso and continuo (C-sharp minor modulating to B major).
- Aria: "Wir waren schon zu tief gesunken" ("We were already too deeply sunk") - a tenor aria with solo violin and continuo (E minor).
- Recitative: "Doch mußte das Gesetz erfüllet werden" ("Yet the law must be fulfilled") - for bass voice and continuo (B minor modulating to A major).
- Duet: "Herr, du siehst statt guter Werke" ("Lord, you see, instead of good works") - for soprano, alto, flute, oboe d'amore and continuo (A major).
- Recitative: "Wenn wir die Sünd aus dem Gesetz erkennen" ("When we recognize our sin against the law") - for bass voice and continuo.
- Chorale: "Ob sichs anließ, als wollt er nicht" ("Although it appears He does not will it") - the last verse of the chorale, sung and played by the whole ensemble.
