Based on the prescribed gospel of the appearance of Jesus to the Disciples, first without then with Thomas, an unknown poet compares the situation of the doubtful Thomas to the Christian in general. He places Nikolaus Herman's Easter hymn "Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag" in the centre of the cantata, repeats the line "Friede sei mit euch" (Peace be with you) several times, and ends with the first stanza from Jakob Ebert's hymn "Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ" (Thou Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus Christ). Bach structured the work in seven movements, arranged in symmetry around the central chorale, and scored it for three solo voices, a four-part choir and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of a slide horn for hymn tunes, flauto traverso, two oboes d'amore, strings and basso continuo. Besides the unusual central chorale, the cantata contains a dramatic scena with Jesus repeating "Peace be with you" against the enemies.

Original Name Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ
Librettist 2 Timothy 2: 8 (No.1) Nikolaus Herman (ca.1500-1561) (No.4) Jakob Ebert (1549-1614) (No.7) Anonymous (Nos.2, 3, 5, 6) (partly re-used in BWV 234)
Date of composition 1724 in Leipzig, Germany
Premiered 1724, April 16th in Leipzig, Germany
First published 1868 (BGA)
Dedicated to 1st Sunday after Easter (Quasimodogeniti)
Type Sacred Cantata
Tonality A Major
Catalogue BWV 67
Spoken language German
Instruments 3x Voice
Chorus/Choir
Orchestra
Links
Autotranslations beta Jean-Sébastien Bach: Hold in remembrance Jesus Christ en la majeur, BWV 67
Johann Sebastian Bach: Hold in remembrance Jesus Christ in la maggiore, BWV 67
Johann Sebastian Bach: Hold in remembrance Jesus Christ A-dur, BWV 67