Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ, BWV 67
Church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ (Keep Jesus Christ in mind),[1] BWV 67, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for Quasimodogeniti, the first Sunday after Easter, and first performed it on 16 April 1724.
Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ | |
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BWV 67 | |
Church cantata by J. S. Bach | |
Occasion | Sunday after Easter |
Bible text | 2 Timothy 2:8 |
Chorale |
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Performed | 16 April 1724 (1724-04-16): Leipzig |
Movements | 7 |
Vocal | |
Instrumental |
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Based on the prescribed gospel of the appearance of Jesus to the Disciples, first without then with Thomas, an unknown poet compares the situation of the doubtful Thomas to the Christian in general. He places Nikolaus Herman's Easter hymn "Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag" in the centre of the cantata, repeats the line "Friede sei mit euch" (Peace be with you) several times, and ends with the first stanza from Jakob Ebert's hymn "Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ" (Thou Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus Christ). Bach structured the work in seven movements, arranged in symmetry around the central chorale, and scored it for three solo voices, a four-part choir and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of a slide horn for hymn tunes, flauto traverso, two oboes d'amore, strings and basso continuo. Besides the unusual central chorale, the cantata contains a dramatic scena with Jesus repeating "Peace be with you" against the enemies.