Misplaced Pages

Mein Odem ist schwach (My breath is weak), BWV 222, is a church cantata composed by Johann Ernst Bach II. It had been accredited to Johann Sebastian Bach. The intended occasion and the librettist are unknown.

Scoring and structure

The cantata is scored for soprano, alto and bass soloists, SATB choir, two violins, viola and organ.

It is six movements:

1. Aria (bass): Mein Odem ist schwach
2. Aria (alto): O seid mir sehnsuchtsvoll geküßt
3. Chorus: Unser Wandel ist im Himmel
4. Chorale: Wie du mir, Herr, befohlen hast
5. Chorale: Lass mich nur, Herr, wie Simeon
6. Chorus: Wir aber sind getrost und haben vielmehr Lust

Motet Unser Wandel ist im Himmel

The motet Unser Wandel ist im Himmel, BWV Anh. 165 is derived from movements 3, 4 and 6 of the cantata Mein Odem ist schwach. As for the cantata its authorship is attributed to Johann Ernst Bach II.

Recording

• Alsfelder Vokalensemble / Steintor Barock Bremen, Wolfgang Helbich. The Apocryphal Bach Cantatas. CPO, 1991.

References

1. "Cantata BWV 222 Mein Odem ist schwach". Bach Cantatas. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
2. "Cantates 217–224" (in French). Université du Québec. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
3. Bach Digital Work 01476 at www.bachdigital.de

• Church cantatas
• Bach: spurious and doubtful works
• Compositions by Johann Ernst Bach II
• German church music