Mein Odem ist schwach (My breath is weak), BWV 222, is a church cantata composed by Johann Ernst Bach II. It had been accredited to Johann Sebastian Bach. The intended occasion and the librettist are unknown.
Scoring and structure The cantata is scored for soprano, alto and bass soloists, SATB choir, two violins, viola and organ.
It is six movements: Aria (bass): Mein Odem ist schwach Aria (alto): O seid mir sehnsuchtsvoll geküßt Chorus: Unser Wandel ist im Himmel Chorale: Wie du mir, Herr, befohlen hast Chorale: Lass mich nur, Herr, wie Simeon Chorus: Wir aber sind getrost und haben vielmehr Lust
Motet Unser Wandel ist im Himmel The motet Unser Wandel ist im Himmel, BWV Anh. 165 is derived from movements 3, 4 and 6 of the cantata Mein Odem ist schwach. As for the cantata its authorship is attributed to Johann Ernst Bach II.Bach Digital Work at
Recording Alsfelder Vokalensemble / Steintor Barock Bremen, Wolfgang Helbich. The Apocryphal Bach Cantatas. CPO, 1991.
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