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Candlemas, the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, occurs about one week after the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany, on 2 February. In 1725 Bach wrote the six movement chorale cantata 125 for this festival, ‘Mit Fried und Freud fahr ich dahin’, based on the chorale melody by Martin Luther. The tune is announced in the soprano part of the opening chorus. Bach illustrates the text ‘Mit Fried und Freud fahr ich dahin’ by a predominantly upward movement in this opening chorus. Although Bach chose the sad key of E minor, he created a comforting, rocking siciliano rhythm (12/8). The alto aria No.2 is particularly expressive, with poignant appoggiaturas and the mild company of the flute and oboe. In the bass recitative No.3 ‘O Wunder’ Bach interweaves the chorale melody in a masterly fashion. After a duet for the tenor and bass, No.4 in G major, and a recitative for the alto, the work closes with a four-part chorale. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Artists: Netherlands Bach Collegium, Pieter Jan
