Cantata 'Christ lag in Todesbanden'

J. S. BachBWV 4

Key

Em

Time

C

Tempo

♩=80

AO focus

AO3

Form

Chorale cantata in seven movements + sinfonia, all based on Luther's chorale tune. Bach's earliest surviving cantata.

Teaching points

• Chorale-cantata cycle — one tune unifies seven movements
• Modal Phrygian harmony — chorale ends on E
• AO3: early Bach vs late Bach