Cantata BWV 200, Bekennen will ich seinen Namen - Johann Sebastian Bach 'Helmuth Rilling'

Composition Year: 1742-43
First Performance: 1742 ca. in Leipzig
Dedication: Epiphany or Feast of Purification of Mary
Recorded: Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart, Februar 1984
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Performers:
Mechthild Georg – Alto • Georg Egger, Radboud Oomens – Violino • Stefan Trauer – Violoncello • Hans-Joachim Erhard – Cembalo
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart • Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn • Helmuth Rilling - Conductor
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00:01 1. (Aria: Bekennen will ich seinen Namen)
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Work:
Bekennen will ich seinen Namen (I shall acknowledge His name), BWV 200, is an arrangement by Johann Sebastian Bach of an aria from Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel's passion-oratorio Die leidende und am Kreuz sterbende Liebe. He scored it for alto, two violins and continuo, possibly as part of a cantata for the feast of Purification. He probably led the first performance around 1742.
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History and text
Bach arranged in Bekennen will ich seinen Namen an aria, "Dein Kreuz, o Bräutgam meiner Seelen" (Your cross, o bridegroom of my soul" from Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel's passion-oratorio Die leidende und am Kreuz sterbende Liebe. Bach's arrangement, dated around 1742–1743, was possibly part of a cantata for the Marian feast of Purification. The prescribed readings for the day were Malachi 3:1–4, and Luke 2:22–32.
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Music
The aria is scored for solo alto voice, two violins, and basso continuo. As with many of Bach's latest cantatas, the aria has a "quality of mellow assurance". It is in adapted ternary form but includes no clear reprise of the opening section. The vocal line includes melismas but no other word painting.
Bach likely performed his arrangement in 1742 in Leipzig.
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Bach Cantatas website: https://www.bach-cantatas.com/
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ATTRIBUTION
Music contained in this video is licensed to, Hänssler-Verlag, Germany