This poignant chorale originates from Hans Leo Hassler's Renaissance melody, later adapted by Bach for his monumental St. Matthew Passion. It appears five times throughout the oratorio, each reharmonization reflecting the narrative's emotional arc - most famously during Peter's denial of Christ. Bach's setting elevated the hymn to one of Western music's most recognizable sacred themes.
A haunting chorale harmonized by J.S. Bach, based on a medieval hymn text by St. Bernard of Clairvaux. It appears multiple times in the St. Matthew Passion as a contemplative refrain, representing the communal response to Christ's suffering.
The chorale "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden" (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded) is a recurring thematic element in Bach's St. Matthew Passion, symbolizing Christ's suffering. It appears multiple times with varying harmonizations, unifying the narrative.
The aria serves as the emotional climax of Bach's monumental passion, featuring rare major-key tonality to symbolize spiritual purification. Its intimate scoring contrasts with the work's grand choruses, reflecting the personal acceptance of redemption.
This poignant chorale from Bach's monumental St. Matthew Passion features rich harmonic language
that intensifies the Passion text, with descending chromatic lines symbolizing Christ's suffering.
The simple four-part setting contrasts with the work's complex polyphonic sections.
