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Cantata 22 ‘Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe’, like Cantata 159, was written for Sunday Esto mihi (= Be with me, after Psalm 31). In fact the work was first composed with Cantata 23 as a test piece in connection with Bach’s appointment as cantor of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig on 7 February 1723. A year later he performed the cantata again on Sunday Esto mihi, 20 February 1724. The opening arioso employs a gospel text, with the tenor as the evangelist and the bass as Christ: ‘Sehet, wir gehen hinauf gen Jerusalem’. In the succeeding aria ‘Mein Jesu, ziehe mich nach dir’ (No.2), the alto and oboe engage in a beautiful dialogue. New examples of striking text illustration are heard in the following recitative, including fast motifs at the word ‘laufen’ (running). The work ends with a four-part chorale. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Artists: Netherlands Bach Collegium, Pieter Jan Leusink (conductor), Holland Boys Choir, Nico van der Meel (Tenore), Bas Ramselaar (Basso) & Sytse Buwalda (Alto)
