O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß (Kanon mit Spiegelung)

The Dulzian in the Rückpositiv introduces the Chorale in Canon, answered by the Trumpet in the Hauptwerk with the same, but mirrored, all freely accompanied by the pedal. The melody upside down is intended to be introduced in a way that shows its clear relation to the original, as a sort of foil, because this mirrored version of the tune will be used in subsequent variations of the Partita which will include settings for many if not all of the 23 Strophes of this monumental text. For such a large number of settings, different versions of the tune will help guard against too much repetition. The meter is a slow 7/8, the number 7 being symbolic as the number of God.

(written 03.Feb.2019)