Cantata No. 177, "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ," BWV 177 (BC A103)

Composed for the fourth Sunday after Trinity, which fell on July 6, 1732, Bach's Cantata No. 177 "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" (I call to you, Lord Jesus Christ) (BWV 177) sets a hymn in five verses by Johann Agricola from 1530. The cantata is scored for alto, soprano, tenor soloists, and chorus, a pair of oboes and oboe da caccia, strings, basso continuo, an obbligato violin in the first movement and an obbligato bassoon in the fourth movement. "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" is in gloomy G minor. The first movement is a chorale fantasia with the chorale in the sopranos above imitative counterpoint in the lower voices, plus the pungent orchestra of poignant oboes, strings, continuo, and obbligato violin. The second movement is a delicately despairing aria for alto soloist and continuo. The third is a supplely swaying aria for soprano soloist, graceful oboe da caccia, and continuo. The fourth is a dancing aria in the form of a trio sonata for tenor soloist, obbligato virtuoso violin, obbligato lyrical bassoon, and continuo. "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" concludes with a heavy chorale harmonization for chorus and full orchestra colla parte.