Composed when Bach was just 22 years old, this cantata reflects his early mastery of sacred music, blending psalm texts with Lutheran chorales in a Baroque style.
This orchestral movement, originally part of Bach's Suite No. 3 in D major, gained its unusual "F String" designation through a modern transcription tradition, though its relationship to the more famous "Air on the G String" arrangement remains unclear.
Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir (From the depths I call, Lord, to thee), BWV 131, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, composed in Mühlhausen around 1707-1708 when Bach was only 22 years old. It is based on Psalm 130, one of the penitential psalms, and incorporates verses from the Lutheran chorale "Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut" by Bartholomäus Ringwaldt. This work is significant as it represents Bach's early mastery of sacred music composition, combining intricate counterpoint with profound expression of the text's spiritual depth. The cantata's structure includes a sinfonia and chorus, showcasing Bach's ability to blend vocal and instrumental forces even in his youth.
