DESCRIPTION:
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Cantata BWV 86: Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch (14 May 1724)

1. Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch (Arioso: B)
2. Ich will doch wohl Rosen brechen (Aria: A) 02:10
3. Und was der ewig gütig Gott (Chorale: S) 07:33
4. Gott macht es nicht gleichwie die Welt (Recitative: T) 09:21
5. Gott hilft gewiß (Aria: T) 09:43
6. Die Hoffnung wart' der rechten Zeit (Chorale) 12:15

Soloists:
Boy Soprano: Wilhelm Wiedl (Soloist of the Tölzer Knabenchor)
Alto: Paul Esswood
Tenor: Kurt Equiluz
Bass: Ruud van der Meer

Performed by the Tölzer Knabenchor (Chorus Master: Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden) & Concentus Musicus Wien under the direction of Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Recorded by Teldec in 1977.

"Wahrlich, Wahrlich, ich sage euch (BWV 86), for Rogation Sunday (14th May) 1724 is closely related to BWV 85, not only in textual structure, but also in the musical style and detail. The most conspicuous difference here is the extremely simple key sequence (E major - A major - F-sharp major - B minor/E major - E major - E major). The opening arioso (ritornello - A - A' - A'' -) reflects the solemnity of Christ's words in a motet-like, polyphonic and quasi-vocal five-part movement, which the strings form together with the vocal part. The contralto aria (the sequence of the vocal parts accords with that of BWV 85) is embellished with a virtuoso violin section; contrasting with it is the soprano chorale (performed in unornamented manner here), which is accompanied by two oboes d'amore. An unembellished and short recitative leads on to the tenor aria, which in alternating play with the concertante first violin and the vocal part, continuously takes up the textual-musical central motif, 'Gott hilft gewiß', so to speak sermonising, reweaving, paraphrasing and repeating it. A simple chorus forms the conclusion." - Ludwig Finscher