Johann Sebastian Bach
| BWV | 3 |
| Title | Ah God, how oft a heartfelt grief |
| Composed | 14th January 1725, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | 1. Choir:
Ah God, how oft a heartfelt grief 2. Rezitative (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass): How hard it is for flesh and blood 3. Aria (Bass): Though I feel fear of hell and pain 4. Rezitative (Tenor): Though both my flesh and soul may languish 5. Duetto (Soprano, Alto): When sorrow round me presses 6. Chorale: If thou my heart in faith keep pure |
| Category | Spiritual Cantata |
| Event | 2nd Sunday after Epiphany |
| Author of text | Unknown |
| Text 1. Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Oboe d`amore Trumpet Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo (Cantus firmus in Basso) |
Ah God, how oft a heartfelt grief Confronteth me within these days! The narrow path is sorrow-filled Which I to heaven travel must. |
| 2. Recitative with Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Basso continuo |
Chorale: How hard it is for flesh and blood Tenor: It but for earthly goods and vain things striveth And neither God nor heaven heedeth, Chorale: To be forced to eternal good! Alto: Since thou, O Jesus, now art all to me, And yet my flesh so stubbornly resists. Chorale: Where shall I then my refuge take? Soprano: The flesh is weak, the spirit strong; So help thou me, thou who my heart dost know. Chorale: To thee, O Jesus, I incline. Bass: Who in thy help and in thy counsel trusts Indeed hath ne'er on false foundation built; Since thou to all the world art come to help us And hast our flesh upon thee taken, Thy dying shall redeem us From everlasting ruin. So savor now a spirit ever faithful The Savior's graciousness and favor. |
| 3. Aria: Bass solo Basso continuo |
Though
I feel fear of hell and pain, Yet must steadfast within my bosom A truly joyful heaven be. I need but Jesus' name once utter, Who can dispel unmeasured sorrows As though a gentle mist dividing. |
| 4. Recitative: Tenor solo Basso continuo |
Though
both my flesh and soul may languish, If thou art, Jesus, mine And I am thine, I will not heed it. Thy truthful mouth And all thy boundless loving, Which never changed abides forever, Preserve for me that ancient bond, Which now my breast with exultation filleth And even fear of death, the grave's own terror, stilleth. Though dearth and famine soon from ev'ry side oppress, My Jesus will my wealth and treasure be. |
| 5. Duetto: Soprano solo, Alto solo Oboe d`amore Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
When sorrow round me presses, I will with joyfulness My song lift unto Jesus. My cross doth Jesus carry, So I'll devoutly say now: It serves me best in ev'ry hour. |
| 6. Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Oboe d`amore Trumpet Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
If
thou my heart in faith keep pure, |
| Epistle | Romans 12: 6-16 |
| Gospel | John 2: 1-11 |
| YouTube | Video 1; John Eliot Gardiner, 1. Choir Video 2; John Eliot Gardiner, 2. Recitative with Choir Video 3; John Eliot Gardiner, 3. Aria Video 4; John Eliot Gardiner, 4. Recitative Video 5; John Eliot Gardiner, 5. Duetto Video 6; John Eliot Gardiner, 6. Chorale |
| Manuscript | Singing Academy, Berlin; Thomasschool, Leipzig; Johann Sebastian Bach Institute, Göttingen; Music Science Institute, Halle; University Library; Warszawa |