Notes on Notes: The Beauty and Pathos of Bach’s Erbarme dich

Watch Margaret Soper Gutierrez’s explanation here.

Erbarme dich (Have mercy!) is one of the most beautiful and emotionally charged arias in all of classic music. It occurs directly after Peter denies Jesus three times as he realizes his betrayal and becomes overwhelmed with remorse.

The aria features the alto voice, a solo violin, and orchestra. But in this case, the violin is not merely an ornamental accompaniment—the melody Bach wrote is as rending and exquisitely expressive as the vocal line, multiplying Peter’s anguish and evoking the universal duality of pain and the need for forgiveness we all experience. He weeps, “Erbarme dich, mein Gott,” “Have mercy, my God.”

As this plays out, the continuo group underscores the message with the opening phrase of O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded), a famous hymn that appears 5 times throughout the St. Matthew Passion. Together, these elements comprise one of Bach’s greatest and most inspired compositions.

— Margaret Soper Gutierrez, Colorado Bach Ensemble violinist

To learn more about Bach and experience his music, explore the Colorado Bach Ensemble’s upcoming events.  (Psst! The Cantata Insight series is free!)