Composed for the Sixth Sunday after Easter, which fell on May 21, 1724, Bach's Cantata No. 44 "Sie werden euch in den Bann tun" (They shall put you out of the temples) (BWV 44) sets a text by an unknown poet using chorales by Martin Moller in the third movement and ones by Paul Flemming in the sixth movement. The text is a typical Christian contrast between suffering on Earth and consolation in heaven, and Bach's music functions as a kind of musical sermon on the subjects. The cantata is scored for tenor, bass, alto and soprano soloists, chorus, pairs of oboes, strings, and basso continuo. The cantata is in G minor, with its first movement in the tonic, its second in the subdominant of C minor, its third in submediant of E flat major, its fourth the dominant minor of D minor, and its fifth and sixth movements in the relative major of B flat major. The first movement of "Sie werden euch in den Bann tun" is in two parts: a dour opening canonic duet for tenor and bass soloists with the oboes and continuo in triple time followed by a gloomy choral motet with the oboes joined by the strings in cut time. The second movement is a sorrowful da capo aria in the form of a trio sonata for alto, solo oboe, and continuo. The third movement is a setting of Moller's chorale for choral tenors and organ continuo. The fourth movement is an impassioned secco recitative for bass and full continuo. The fifth movement is a joyful da capo aria for soprano solo accompanied by the entire orchestra. "Sie werden euch in den Bann tun" concludes with a harmonization of Flemming's hymn for the chorus and orchestra.

© All Music Guide

Portions of Content Provided by All Music Guide.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.