Recordings/Discussions
Background Information
Performer Bios

Poet/Composer Bios

Additional Information

Recordings & Discussions of Cantatas: Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Cantatas BWV Anh | Order of Discussion

Cantata BWV 55
Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht

Ref.

BWV 55

German Title

Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht

English Title

I, wretched man, a slave to sin (by Richard Stokes)

Event

Solo Cantata for the 22nd Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: Philippians 1: 3-11; Gospel: Matthew 18: 23-35
Musical Context: Motets & Chorales for 22nd Sunday after Trinity

Composed

Leipzig, 1726
1st performance: November 17, 1726 - Leipzig

Text

Johann Rist (Mvt. 5); Anon (Mvts. 1-4)

German Text | German-2 | Translations: Catalan-1 | Dutch | English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-3 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Italian-4 | Russian-1 | Spanish-2 | Spanish-7
Chorale Text: Werde munter mein Gemüte

Scoring

Soloist: Tenor; 4-part Chorus
Orchestra: transverse flute, oboe d’amore, 2 violins, continuo
Mvt. 1: Aria | Mvt. 2: Recitative | Mvt. 3: Aria | Mvt. 4: Recitative | Mvt. 5: Chorale

Score Vocal & Piano [1.09 MB] | Score BGA [1.14 MB]
Chorales: Mvt. 5
Capella: Mvt. 5 [cap]
Chorale Melody: Werde munter, mein Gemüthe

References

BGA: XXII/2 | NBA: I/26 | BC: A 157 | Zwang: K 159 | First Published: BG, 1863 | Autograph score (facsimile): Berlin, Staatsbibliothek | Provenance

Commentary

BCW | Crouch | AMG | Emmaniel Music | Mincham | EvH [Dutch] | Role [French] | Reyes [Spanish]

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

Week of October 27, 2002; Week of February 3, 2008; Week of August 12, 2012

Contents

 

Complete Recordings
Recordings of Individual Movements

Discussions - Part 1 (1st round)
Discussions - Part 2 (2nd round)
Discussions - Part 3 (3rd round)

Cantatas Vol. 38 - conducted by Masaaki Suzuki

Recordings - Part 1

Complete Recordings

1

J.S. Bach: Cantatas Nos. 157 · 55 · 151 [C-2]

 

Cantata BWV 55 []

Kurt Redel

Choir and Orchestra "Pro Arte" Munich

Tenor: Helmut Krebs

Erato LDE-3044
Westminster XWN-18768
Musical Heritage Society MHS-594

Mar 31-Apr 4, 1956

LP / TT:

Recorded in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

2

J.S. Bach: Kantate BWV 55 Ich armer Mensch [Radio Recording] [R-1]

 

Cantata BWV 55 [13:30]

Karl Ristenpart

Kammerchor des Saarländischen Rundfunks / Kammerorchester des Saarländischen Rundfunks

Tenor: Helmut Kretschmar; Konrad Hampe (Flute)

Saarländischer Rundfunk (SR)

May 16, 1957

Tape

Recorded live in Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany.
1st recording of Cantata BWV 55 by K. Ristenpart.

3

J.S. Bach: Quatre Cantates No. 53, 55, 189 & 200 [L-3]

Cantata BWV 55 []

Karl Ristenpart

Orchestre de Chambre de la Sarre

Tenor: Helmut Kretschmar; Konrad Hampe (Flute) K. Steinkopf (Oboe)

Les discophiles français DF-217

Jun 18 & Oct 2, 1957

LP / TT:

Recorded at Saarlouis, Saarland, Germany.
2nd recording of Cantata BWV 55 by K. Ristenpart.

4

Bach Cantatas Vol. 5 - Sundays after Trinity II
J.S. Bach: Kantaten BWV 55, BWV 189
[C-9]

Cantata BWV 55 [CD: 15:30 / LP: 15:21]

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Chor / Münchener Bach-Orchester

Tenor: Ernst Haefliger

Archiv Produktion

Feb 28 - Mar 1, 1959

5-CD / TT:
LP / TT:

Recorded at Herkules-Saal, München, Germany.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com

5

J.S. Bach: Kantate Nr. 55 Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht; Kantate Nr. 160 Ich weiss, dass mein Erlöser lebt; Kantate Nr. 189 Meine Seele rühmt und preist [C-2]
J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 55, BWV 160 & BWV 189
[C-2]

Cantata BWV 55 [13:15]

Heinz Markus Göttsche

Mannheim Bach Choir / Heidelberger Kammerorchester
Tenor: Raimund Gilvan

Da Camera SM-94013
Music Rara MUS-9
Oryx BACH-1119
Musical Heritage Society MHS-1718

May 25-27, 1966

LP / TT: 43:43

Recorded at Christuskirche, Mannheim, Germany.

6

Bach Kantaten, Vol. 6: BWV 99, BWV 8, BWV 55 [D-6]

 
 

Cantata BWV 55 [14:51]

Diethard Hellmann

Kurrende des Bachchores Mainz und Bachorchester Mainz

Tenor: Alexander Young
Werner Richter (Flute); Fred Schweinfurter (Oboe d’amore); Ruth Hellmann (Violin); Marianne Weiss-Tunder (Violin); Werner Taube (Continuo-Cello)

DdM-Records Mitterteich 200002

Late 1960’s ? (P 2000)

CD / TT: 56:09

Recorded by SWF at Christuskirche, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Buy this album at:
CD: Musik aus Mitterteich - Hubertus Krämer

7

Peter Schreier singt Bach-Kantaten [L-3]
Bach Made in Germany Vol. 3 -
Cantatas II
Bach Made in Germany Vol. 3 - Sacred Cantatas, St Matthew Passion [B-1]

 
 

Cantata BWV 55 [15:41]

Erhard Mauersberger

Thomanerchor Leipzig / Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Tenor: Peter Schreier
Basso continuo: Friedemann Erben (Violoncello); Heinz Morawietz (Double-bass); Hannes Kästner (Harpsichord, Organ)

Eterna 826099
Telefunken SMT-1162
Telefunken 6.41948 AG
Leipzig Classics 001821-2BC
Leipzig Classics 001819-2BC

Apr 16, 1968

LP / TT: 34:20
LP / TT: 34:20
LP / TT: 34:20
CD / TT: 73:06
5-CD / TT: 323:17

Recorded at Thomaskirche, Leipzig, Germany.
1st recording of Cantata BWV 55 by P. Schreier.
Buy this album at:
CD (2000): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
5-CD (1999): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

8

Bach: Solokantaten [C-1]

Cantata BWV 55 []

Hans-Martin Linde

Instrumentalisten und Vokalensemble der Schola Cantorum Basiliensis

Tenor: Nicolai Gedda

EMI-Electrola C063-29065

1971

LP / TT: 45 min

2nd recording of Cantata BWV 55 by N. Gedda.

9

J.S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk · Complete Cantatas · Les Cantates, Folge / Vol. 14 - BWV 51-52, BWV 54-56
J.S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk - Sacred Cantatas
Vol. 3 - BWV 37-52, 54-60
Bach-2000
Vol. 2: Sacred Cantatas 2 - BWV 48-52, 54-69, 69a, 70-99
Bach: Cantatas / Kantaten
Vol. 17 - BWV 52 & 54-56

 
 
 

Cantata BWV 55 [13:00]

Gustav Leonhardt

Knabenchor Hannover (Chorus Master: Heinz Hennig) / Leonhardt-Consort

Tenor: Kurt Equiluz

Telefunken 6.35304
Teldec 8.35304 ZL
Teldec 4509-91757-2
Teldec 3984-25707-2
Teldec 8573-81198-2
Warner Classics 8573-81198-5

Jan 20-21+25, 1975

2-LP / TT: 79 min
2-CD / TT: 79:27
6-CD / TT: 415:47
15-CD / TT: 963:00
CD / TT: 61:30
CD / TT: 61:30

Recorded at Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, Holland.
Buy this album at:

6-CD (1994): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download 6-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
15-CD (1999): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Teldec CD (2000): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Warner CD (2007): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download CD: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


10

Bach Festival 45th Annual Baldwin-Wallace College: First Concert [F45-1]

 

Cantata BWV 55 []

Dwight Oltman

Baldwin-Wallace Motet Choir (Conductor: Stuart Raleigh) / Festival Chamber Orchestra

Tenor: Jon Humphrey

Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music BW Tape 77-71 A

May 20, 1977

MC / TT:

Recorded live at Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio, USA.
Source: WorldCat Libraries & OPAL (Ohio Private Academic Library)

11

Die Bach Kantate Vol. 57
Edition Bachakademie Vol. 18

Helmuth Rilling

Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Bach-Collegium Stuttgart

Tenor: Adalbert Kraus

Hänssler

Feb, Oct 1982

TT: 13:01

Recorded at Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart, Germany.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.com

12

J.S. Bach: Solokantaten für Tenor [C-1]

 
 

Cantata BWV 55 []

-

Mitglieder der Kantorei der Kreuzkirche Bonn (Director: Jutta Niedermeyer) / Steinkraus-Ensemble

Tenor: Hans-Dieter Seibel
Helmut Steinkraus (Flute); Kurt Colinnet (Violin); Johannes Geffert (Organ/Harpsichord); Christoph Vicbahn (Oboe); Loni Schumacher (Violin II); Michael Coenen (Viola); Cecile van Hoof (Violoncello)

Mitra 16172

Feb 1983

LP / TT:

Recorded at Kreuzkirche, Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

13

Bach: Kantaten BWV 55, 84, 199 [C-2]

Cantata BWV 55 [12:19]

Max Pommer

Leipziger Universitätschor / Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum

Tenor: Peter Schreier

Eterna / Berlin Classics

Jun-Jul 1986; Jun 1987

CD / TT:

Recorded at Studio Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche, Leipzig, Germany.
2nd recording of Cantata BWV 55 by P. Schreier.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com

14

J.S. Bach: Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht, Kantate BWV 55 für Tenor, Instrumente und Chor; F. Mendelssohn: Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich, Choralkantate für Chor und Orchester; A. Honegger: König David (Le Roi David), sinfonischer Psalm in drei Teilen für Soli, Sprecher, Chor, Orgel und Orchester [C-6]

 

Cantata BWV 55 []

Martin Flämig

Dresdner Kreuzchor / Staatskapelle Dresden

Tenor: Ralph Eschrig

Überspiel Kreuzchorarchiv

Jun 1, 1989

MC / TT: 96 min

Recorded live at Kreuzkirche, Dresden, Saxony, Germany.
Copy: Zentralbibliothek-Mediathek Archiv Fon-TKD-C 3141
Source: WorldCat Libraries & SLUB Dresden

15

J.S. Bach: Solo Cantatas (Cantatas Volume I) [C-1]

 

Cantata BWV 55 [12:44]

Jeffrey Thomas

American Bach Soloists

Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas

Koch International Classics 3-7138-2H1
American Bach Soloists

Apr 27-28 & Oct 19-20, 1990

CD / TT: 61:48

Recorded at St. Stephen's Church, Belvedere, CA, USA.
Buy this album at:
Koch CD (1992): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
ABS CD (2007): Amazon.com

16

J.S. Bach: Solo-Kantaten und Arien [C-10]

Peter Schreier

RIAS-Kammerchor / Kammerorchester Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

Tenor: Peter Schreier

Philips

Aug 1994

TT: 11:04

4th recording of Cantata BWV 55 by P. Schreier. Recorded at Rundfunkhaus, Berlin, Germany.
Buy this album at:

17

J.S. Bach: Kantate BWV 55 · Concerto a-Moll [C-2]

Matthias Eisenberg (Conductor & Harpsichord)

Mitglieder des Thomanerchor Leipzig / Leipziger Barockorchester

Tenor: Martin Petzold

RAM

Jan 1998

TT: 13:15

Buy this album at:

18

Cantatas, Arias & Motet [C-2]

Ludwig Güttler

Virtuosi Saxoniae

Tenor: Christoph Genz

Dresden Classics

Feb-Mar 1999

TT: 16:46

Recorded at Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany. 1st recording of Cantata BWV 55 by C. Genz.
Buy this album at:

19

Bach Edition Vol. 11 - Cantatas Vol. 5

 
 

Cantata BWV 55 [13:33]

Pieter Jan Leusink

Holland Boys Choir / Netherlands Bach Collegium

Tenor: Knut Schoch

Brilliant Classics 99370

Nov-Dec 1999

5-CD / TT: 270:58

Recorded at St. Nicolaschurch, Elburg, Holland.
Buy this album at:
5-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

20

J.S. Bach: Cantatas & Arias [C-1]

 

Cantata BWV 55 [12:11]

Fabio Biondi (Director & Violin)

(OVPP - No Choir) / Europa Galante

Tenor: Ian Bostridge; For the Chorale only: Soprano: Roberta Giuia; Alto: Alessandro Carmignani; Bass: Antoni Abete

Virgin Veritas 545420

Mar 25-30, 2000

CD / TT: 67:55

Recorded at La Biblioteca Monumentale dell Abbazia di San Giovanni Evangelista, Parma, Italy.
Buy this album at:
CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

21

Bach Cantatas Vol. 12: Tooting/Winchester
For the 22nd Sunday after Trinity
For the 23rd Sunday after Trinity

 
 

Cantata BWV 55 [14:35]

John Eliot Gardiner

Monteverdi Choir / English Baroque Soloists

Tenor: James Gilchrist

Soli Deo Gloria 171

Nov 17, 2000

2-CD / TT: 140:53

Recorded during the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, at All Saints church, Tooting, England (not live recording).
Buy this album at:
2-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ClassicsOnline

22

J.S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 18
J.S. Bach: Solo Cantatas for Alto and Tenor (Single Volume Cantatas Vol. 3)

 
 

Cantata BWV 55 [12:54]

Ton Koopman

Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir

Tenor: Christoph Prégardien

Antoine Marchand CC-72218
Antoine Marchand CC-72282

Sep 29-Oct 3, 2002 [Mvts. 1-4]
Oct 28-Nov 5, 2002 [Mvt. 5]

3-CD / TT: 193:02
CD / TT: 73:53

Recorded at Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam, Holland.
Buy this album at:
3-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download 3-CD: Amazon.com | ClassicsOnline
Single Volume CD (2008): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ClassicsOnline

23

J.S. Bach: Geistliche Solokantaten für Alt - Tenor [C-3]

Helmut Müller-Brühl

Collegium Vocale Siegen (Chorus Master: Ulrich Stölzel) / Kölner Kammerorchester

Tenor: Markus Schäfer

Naxos

June, Nov 2004

TT: 11:07

Recorded at Deutchlandfunk Sendesaal, Köln, Germany.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

24

J.S. Bach: Cantatas for the Complete Liturgical Year Vol. 1: "Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen" - Cantatas BWV 98 · 180 · 56 · 55

 

Cantata BWV 55 [13:52]

Sigiswald Kuijken

(OVPP - No Choir) / La Petite Bande

Soprano: Sophie Karthäuser; Alto: Petra Noskaiova; Tenor [Soloist]: Christoph Genz; Bass: Dominik Wörner

Accent 25301

Oct 2004

SACD / TT: 69:43

Recorded at l'Eglise des Minimes à Bruxelles, Belgium.
2nd recording of Cantata BWV 55 by C. Genz.
Buy this album at:
SACD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | ClassicsOnline

25

J.S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 38 (Solo Cantatas) - BWV 52, 55, 82, 58

 
 

Cantata BWV 55 [14:35]

Masaaki Suzuki

Bach Collegium Japan

Tenor: Gerd Türk

BIS 1631

Sep 2006

SACD / TT: 65:49

Recorded at the Kobe Shoin Women's University Chapel, Japan.
See: Cantatas Vol. 38 - conducted by Masaaki Suzuki
Buy this album at:
SACD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ClassicsOnline

26

Bleibt, ihr Engel, bleibt bei mir - J.S. Bach : Arien und Kantaten [C-2]

Cantatas BWV 55 [12:24]

Hajo Wienroth

Le Chardon

Tenor: Markus Brutscher; Hajo Wienroth (Traversflute); Mark Baigent (Oboe)

Lunaris CD

2008

CD / TT:

Buy this album at: Le Chardon

27

J. S. Bach: Kantate BWV 55 "Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht" [C-52]

 

Cantata BWV 55 []

Conductor & organ: Rudolf Lutz
Reflection lecture: Urs Schoettli

(OVPP - No Choir) / Schola Seconda Pratica

Soloists: Tenor: Bernhard Berchthold
Choir: Sopr: Guro Hjemli; Alto: Antonia Frey; Bass: William Wood
Orchestra: Violin: Renate Steinmann, Yuko Ishikawa; Viola: Susanna Heft; Violoncello: Martin Zeller; Violone: Iris Finkbeiner; Bassoon: Susann Landert; Flute: Claire Genewein; Oboe d'amore: Ingo Müller

Gallus Media A870

Nov 19, 2011

DVD / TT:

Recorded live at Evangelische Kirche, Trogen, Switzerland.
The DVD (in German, no subtitles) includes a film recording of the complete cantata, the reflection lecture of the speaker and a film portrait of the J.S. Bach Foundation.
Recording and production: Sound engineer: Stefan Ritzenthaler, Johannes Widmer; Producer: Meinrad Keel; Production: GALLUS MEDIA AG, Switzerland; DVD format: PAL.
Buy this album at:
DVD: J.S. Bach-Stiftung, St. Gallen: Shop

The list of recordings was compiled by Aryeh Oron (September 2002 - September 2012)
Thanks to contributors: Rainer Baruth (January 2012), Matthias Hansen (September 2005, June 2006, September 2006, February 2012), Frits V. Herbold (February 2012, April 2012), Louis Iosub (April 2012),
Manfred Krugmann (September 2012), Peter Smaill (August 2006), Teri Noel Towe (April 2007), Tim Williams (March 2008)

Cantata BWV 55: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Recordings & Discussions of Cantatas: Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Cantatas BWV Anh | Order of Discussion

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Last update: ýSeptember 8, 2012 ý09:21:24