Cantata No. 61 Nun komm, der Heiden Heland - Vocal Score

Cantata for the First Sunday of Advent, BWV 61: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland.

For Soprano solo, Tenor solo, Bass solo, Mixed choir (SATB), Bassoon, Violin (2), Viola (2), Violoncello, Double bass, Basso continuo and Organ.

Urtext edition. Vocal score edited by Alfred Durr and arranged by Gunter Raphael. Text in German and English. Orchestral material available separately.

Bach began two of his cantatas with Martin Luther's Advent hymn "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland," a German version of the early church hymn "Veni redemptor gentium."

One of the most gripping solo parts (following the pattern recitative -- aria -- recitative -- aria) is the bass recitative on the words of the Revelation, with its highly expressive declamation of the vocal line and the naive graphicness of the pounding string accompaniment.

Equally captivating is the following soprano aria, which "opens its heart" upon the Savior's "knocking" in a melody full of the cheerful tidings of Advent. The cantata ends brilliantly with a lovely figurative chorale movement enhanced by the interplay of a lively, bustling violin part, which ultimately soars upward to breathtaking heights.