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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.

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 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.

Bach's St. Matthew Passion is renowned for its intricate polyphony and emotional depth, blending biblical narrative with reflective arias like this one, which expresses anguish and longing through its melodic contour and harmonic tension.