Erbarm dich mein in solcher Last, BWV 113/2

July 28, 1750. A mournful day in Leipzig, the Leipziger Thomaskantor passed away due to complications of several eye surgeries (executed by a charlatan). Although Bach was not so popular during his lifetime as he is now (exactly 271 years later), he was widely recognized as a brilliant composer.

I have a strong preference for Bach's cantatas. Therefore a nice arrangement of the second part of Cantata BWV 113. This piece is more a duo with cantus firmus than a trio. What Bach does with the two interwaving lines is pure genius. My former organ teacher said that one of the powers of Bach's music lies in the fact that even when you dismantle a piece completely, the separate parts are still impressive. I think this piece shows that too.

Listen to the original piece here. An old but still good recording, directed by Gustav Leonhardt:
https://youtu.be/tyf_4gkHAU4?t=240