Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden

"Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden" ("Stay with us, for evening falls"), BWV 6, is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.

It was written in Leipzig for Easter Monday, and was first performed on 2 April, 1725. It is based on chorales by Nikolaus Selnecker and Martin Luther. The text of the first movement comes from Luke 24:29.

The piece is written for two oboes, oboe da caccia, strings (violins, violas and basso continuo), vocal soloists and choir. It is in six movements, in C minor unless otherwise noted:

#Chorus: "Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden" - a freely polyphonic movement in ternary form for the entire ensemble. The middle section is fugal in texture.
#Aria: "Hochgelobter Gottessohn" ("Highly-praised Son of God") - for alto, oboe da caccia and continuo (E-flat major).
#Chorale: "Ach bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ" ("Ah, stay with us, Lord Jesus Christ") - a setting of Hermann's chorale for solo soprano, piccolo cello and continuo (B-flat major).
#Recitative: "Es hat die Dunkelheit an vielen Orten" ("The darkness has [taken over] in many places") - for bass and continuo (G minor).
#Aria: "Jesu, laß uns auf dich sehen" ("Jesus, let us look upon you") - for tenor, strings and continuo (B-flat major).
#Chorale: "Beweis dein Macht, Herr Jesu Christ" ("Reveal your strength, Lord Jesus Christ") - the last verse of the chorale, sung and played by the whole ensemble.

External links

*
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/IndexScores.htm Vocal score of the piece]
* [http://www.emmanuelmusic.org/notes_trans/transl_cantata/bwv006.htm German text with an English translation]
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV6-D.htm Various comments on the piece]
* [http://www.emmanuelmusic.org/notes_trans/notes_cantata/bwv006.htm Programme notes by Craig Smith]