J.S. Bach: St. Matthew Passion (Opening)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_LLFfFXaUA

The “great Passion” opens with a large-scale chorale fantasia for double chorus, each choir with its own orchestral support. At bar 30 this chorale, O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig (O Lamb of God, unspotted), which functions as the cantus firmus, soars above the choral and orchestral texture and responds to the dialogue Seht ihn! Wie? Als wie ein Lamm! (See him! How? Just as a lamb!)

Chorus I
Come, ye daughters, share my mourning,
See ye—(Chorus II) whom?—(Chorus I) the bridegroom there,
See him—(Chorus II) how?—(Chorus I) just like a lamb!

Chorale
O Lamb of God, unspotted
Upon the cross’s branch slaughtered,
See ye,—what?—see him forbear,
Alway displayed in thy patience,
How greatly wast thou despisèd.
Look—where, then?—upon our guilt;
All sin hast thou born for us,
Else we had lost all courage.
See how he with love and grace
Wood as cross himself now beareth!
Have mercy on us, O Jesus!

Tom Koopman here conducts the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Choir and Soloists