O Mensch, bewein' dein' Sunde gross, BWV 622

Only Bach's mysticism, faith and simplicity could reach that depth of feeling necessary to express the sacrifice of Christ. The meaning of this page is clearly expressed by the title of the "Prelude" and by the words of the text. It commemorates the sacrifice of the spotless Angel crucified for a superior will for the redemption of humanity. It is a "vision", which is offered to our spirit, of the way of salvation now open through the martyrdom of the Cross.

Bach's musical inspiration, in the elaboration of this "Prelude", reached the apex of intimate emotion. The final "Adagiosissimo" wants to mean, or rather musically interpret the last verse of the first verse of Heyden's Song of the Passion, that is: "Long suspended from the Cross".

Fernando Germani