{{Short description|1723 church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach}} {{Good article}} {{use shortened footnotes|date=July 2025}} {{use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox Bach composition | name = {{lang|de|Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz}} | bwv = 136 | type = Church cantata | image = Thomaskirche-1885.png | caption = Thomaskirche, Leipzig | related = Missa in A major | occasion = {{nowrap|Eighth Sunday after Trinity}} | performed = {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1723|07|18|df=y}}|location=Leipzig}} | movements = 6 | composer = Johann Sebastian Bach | bible = Psalm 139:23 | chorale = Johann Heermann's "{{langr|de|Wo soll ich fliehen hin}}" | vocal = {{plainlist| * {{abbr|SATB|soprano, alto, tenor and bass}} choir * Solo: alto, tenor and bass }} | instrumental = {{hlist| corno | 2 oboes | oboe d'amore | 2 violins | viola | continuo }} }} '''{{lang|de|Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz}}''' (Search me, God, and know my heart),{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=453}} '''{{abbr|BWV|Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (catalogue of Bach's works)}}{{nbsp}}136''' is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in 1723 in Leipzig to be used for the eighth Sunday after Trinity. He led the first performance on 18 July 1723.
The work is part of Bach's first annual cycle of church cantatas; he began to compose cantatas for all occasions of the liturgical year when he took up office as ''Thomaskantor'' in May 1723. The cantata is structured in six movements: two choral movements at the beginning and end frame a sequence of alternating recitatives and arias. The opening movement is based on a verse from Psalm 139; the closing chorale on a stanza from Johann Heermann's hymn "{{langr|de|Wo soll ich fliehen hin}}". The cantata is scored for three vocal soloists (alto, tenor and bass), a four-part choir, corno, two oboes, strings and basso continuo. {{TOC limit|2}}
== History and words ==
When Bach took up office as ''Thomaskantor'' (director of church music) in Leipzig in May 1723 on the first Sunday after Trinity, he began to compose cantatas for all occasions of the liturgical year. He wrote {{lang|de|Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz}} for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2023}}{{sfn|Gardiner|2008|p=15}} The prescribed readings for the Sunday are from the Epistle to the Romans, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Romans|chapter=8|verse=12|range=–17}}), and from the Gospel of Matthew, the warning of false prophets from the Sermon on the Mount ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=7|verse=15|range=–23}}).{{sfn|Bach Digital|2023}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=453}} An unknown librettist wrote the text,{{sfn|Bach Digital|2023}} closely related to the prescribed gospel. His text is the first in a group of ten cantatas following the same structure of biblical text – recitative – aria – recitative – aria – chorale. The ten cantatas were dedicated to the 8th to 14th and 21st to 22nd Sunday after Trinity and the second Sunday after Easter.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA27 27]}}
The opening chorus is based on {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Psalms|chapter=139|verse=23}},{{sfn|Bach Digital|2023}} focused on the examination of the believer's heart by God.{{sfn|Kirnbauer|2010}} The closing chorale is the ninth stanza of Johann Heermann's hymn "{{langr|de|Wo soll ich fliehen hin}}" (1630) on the melody of "{{langr|de|Auf meinen lieben Gott}}",{{sfn|Bach Digital|2023}}{{sfn|Wolff|1997}} which Bach used again in 1724 as the base for his chorale cantata {{lang|de|''Wo soll ich fliehen hin'', BWV 5 |italic=unset}}.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA456 456]}}{{sfn|BCW text|2005}}
The Bach scholar Alfred Dürr concludes from the autograph that only the middle section of the third movements and the chorale were composed in 1723 with certainty.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA454 454]}} The other parts may rely on a former unknown secular or church cantata, according to the conductor John Eliot Gardiner.{{sfn|Gardiner|2008|p=15}}
== Music == === Structure and scoring === The cantata in six movements is scored for three vocal soloists (alto (A), tenor (T) and bass (B)), a four-part choir (SATB), corno (horn, Co), two oboes (Ob), two violins (Vl), viola (Va) and basso continuo (Bc).{{sfn|Bach Digital|2023}} One oboe is marked "d'amore" (Oa) in the autograph kept by the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.{{sfn|Kirnbauer|2010}}{{sfn|Bach Digital manuscript|2023}} The duration is given as 21 minutes.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=453}} Some scholars, including Dürr and Gardiner, believe that the second oboe part in the choral movements 1 and 6 should also be played by oboe d'amore.{{sfn|Gardiner|2008|p=15}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA454 454]}} The title on the original parts reads: "Domin: 8 post Trinit: / Erforsche mich Gott, und erfahre mein ect. / â / 4 Voci / Corno / 2 Hautbois / 2 Violini / Viola / e / Continuo / di Sign: / J.S.Bach".{{sfn|Bach Digital manuscript|2023}}
In the following table of the movements, the scoring and keys and time signatures are taken from Alfred Dürr, using the symbol for common time ({{music|time|4|4}}).{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA453 453–454]}} The instruments are shown separately for winds and strings, while the continuo, playing throughout, is not shown.
{{Classical movement header | show_text_source = yes | work = ''Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz'' | instruments1 = Winds | instruments2 = Strings }} {{Classical movement row | number = 1 | title = {{langr|de|Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz}} | text_source = {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Psalms|chapter=139|verse=23}} | type = Chorus | vocal = SATB | instruments1 = Co 2Ob | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = {{nowrap|A major}} | time = {{music|time|12|8}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 2 | title = {{langr|de|Ach, daß der Fluch, so dort die Erde schlägt}} | text_source = {{abbr|anon.|anonymous author}} | type = Recitative | vocal = T | instruments1 = | instruments2 = | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 3 | title = {{plainlist| * {{langr|de|Es kömmt ein Tag}} (Adagio) * {{langr|de|Denn seines Eifers Grimm vernichtet}} (Presto) }} | text_source = {{abbr|anon.|anonymous author}} | type = Aria | vocal = A | instruments1 = Oa | instruments2 = | key = {{nowrap|F-sharp minor}} | time = {{plainlist| * {{music|common-time}} * {{music|time|12|8}} }} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 4 | title = {{langr|de|Die Himmel selber sind nicht rein}} | text_source = {{abbr|anon.|anonymous author}} | type = Recitative | vocal = B | instruments1 = | instruments2 = | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 5 | title = {{langr|de|Uns treffen zwar der Sünden Flecken}} | text_source = {{abbr|anon.|anonymous author}} | type = Aria | vocal = T B | instruments1 = | instruments2 = 2Vl (unis.) | key = B minor | time = {{music|time|12|8}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 6 | title = {{langr|de|Dein Blut, der edle Saft}} | text_source = Heermann | type = Chorale | vocal = SATB | instruments1 = Co 2Ob | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = B minor | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{End}}
== Music ==
=== 1 === The opening chorus expands on a psalm verse, "{{langr|de|Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz}}" (Examine me, God, and discover my heart).{{sfn|Dellal|2023}} The music in the style of a Gigue expresses confidence facing the examination. In 1739 it was characterized by Johann Mattheson as "somewhat like the rapid arrow of a stream" ("{{langr|de|etwa wie der glattfortschiessende Strom-Pfeil eines Bachs}}").{{sfn|Kirnbauer|2010}} The movement is structures in two parts (A and A′), with choral fugues on the same themes, both presenting the complete text. An extended instrumental ritornello, dominated by the horn, is heard before, between and after the choral sections. The first fugue is preceded by a choral {{lang|de|Devise}} (statement). Throughout the movement the two oboes never play independently but double the violins in the ritornelli and the soprano in the vocal sections.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA455 455]}} The virtuoso horn parts may have been intended for the exceptional Gottfried Reiche.{{sfn|Kirnbauer|2010}}
Bach used the same material as in this movement later in the "{{langr|la|Cum Sancto Spiritu}}" of his Missa in A major.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2023}}{{sfn|Gardiner|2008|p=15}}{{sfn|Wolff|1997}}
=== 2 === A secco recitative, "{{langr|de|Ach, daß der Fluch, so dort die Erde schlägt}}" (Alas, that the curse, which strikes the earth there), renders a contrasting change of mood.{{sfn|Dellal|2023}} Bach interprets the curse of sin, and the hopeless situation of the humans and the threat of the Last Judgment in music full of dissonances.{{sfn|Kirnbauer|2010}}
=== 3 === The alto aria, "{{langr|de|Es kömmt ein Tag}}" (A day will come),{{sfn|Dellal|2023}} is accompanied by an oboe, an oboe d'amore according to Dürr and Gardiner. The middle section, "{{langr|de|Denn seines Eifers Grimm vernichtet}}" (For the wrath of His vengeance will annihilate),{{sfn|Dellal|2023}} was certainly composed in 1723.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA455 455]}} The first section is marked ''Adagio'' and in common time, contrasting to the middle section, marked with ''Presto'' and with a {{music|time|12|8}} time signature.{{sfn|Isoyama|1999}}
=== 4 === A secco recitative, "{{langr|de|Die Himmel selber sind nicht rein}}" (The heavens themselves are not pure),{{sfn|Dellal|2023}} tends to an arioso in the last measures.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA456 456]}}
=== 5 === The violins in unison accompany the duet of tenor and bass, "{{lang|de|Uns treffen zwar der Sünden Flecken}}" (Indeed, the stains of sin cling to us).{{sfn|Dellal|2023}} The voices sing sometimes in imitation, sometimes in homophony, in the style of duets Bach wrote at Köthen earlier in his career.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA456 456]}}
=== 6 === The chorale, "{{langr|de|Dein Blut, der edle Saft}}" (Your blood, the noble juice),{{sfn|Dellal|2023}} is expanded to five parts with a combination of the four-part chorus and an accompanying violin part,{{sfn|Wolff|1997}}{{sfn|BCW melody|2008}}{{sfn|Dahn|2023}} similar to the chorale of ''Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten!'' BWV 172, written earlier by Bach for Pentecost 1714 in Weimar.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006}} <score sound raw> \header { tagline = ##f } \layout { indent = 0 \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \context { \Score \remove "Bar_number_engraver" } % \context { \Voice \remove "Dynamic_engraver" } }
global = { \key b \minor \time 4/4 \partial 4 } tn = \tempo 4 =75 tf = \tempo 4 = 30 violin = \relative c''' { \global \set midiInstrument = "string ensemble 1" \tn b8^"Violin" a | g [e] cis fis b fis b16 ais b8 | fis2.\fermata fis4 | b8 [e,] d cis fis [d] cis b | fis'2.\fermata fis8 e | d [b'] a g fis [e] d d' | cis [d] cis b ais [b] cis ais | b [d,] cis b a [g'] fis d' | b [g] e a fis4\fermata a4~ | a8 [e] fis a cis [e,] d fis | b [a] b gis a4\fermata b | ais8 [b] cis ais d [fis,] b4~ | b16 d cis b ais4 b\fermata \bar "|." }
soprano = \relative c'' { \global \set midiInstrument = "violin" b4 | b cis d e | fis2.\fermata fis4 | fis e d e | cis2.\fermata cis4 | d e fis fis | e2 fis4 fis | d e fis fis | e2 \tf d4\fermata \tn fis | a fis fis fis | e2 \tf e4\fermata \tn e | fis e d e8 (d) | cis2 \tf b4\fermata \bar "|." }
alto = \relative c' { \global \set midiInstrument = "violin" fis4 | g fis fis g | cis,2. fis4 | gis ais b cis | ais2. a4 | b e d a | a2 ais4 fis | fis8 gis a!4 a a | b a a a | a d cis b | b2 e,4 b' | cis cis fis, g | g (fis) fis \bar "|." }
tenor = \relative c' { \global \set midiInstrument = "cello" d4 | e e d cis8 b | ais2. ais4 | b cis d g | fis2. fis,4 | fis a a4. b8 | cis2 cis4 cis | b cis d d | d cis d d | e a,8 d e cis d4 | d2 cis4 b | fis ais b b | e8 d cis4 dis \bar "|." }
bass = \relative c { \global \set midiInstrument = "contrabass" b'4 | e ais, b8 a g4 | fis2. e4 | d cis b e | fis2. fis4 | b, cis d8 [e] fis g | a [b] a g fis [gis] ais fis | b4 a!8 g! fis [e] d fis | g [e] a a, d4 d' | cis d ais b8 a | gis [fis] gis e a4 g4 | fis8 [e] d [cis] b [a] g [fis] | e [cis] fis' fis, b4 \bar "|." }
verse = \lyricmode { \set stanza = "9." Dein Blut, der ed -- le Saft, hat sol -- che Stärk’ und Kraft, dass auch ein Tröpf -- lein klei -- ne die gan -- ze Welt kann rei -- ne, ja, gar aus Teu -- fels Ra -- chen frei, los und le -- dig ma -- chen. }
choirPart = \new ChoirStaff << \new Staff << \new Voice = "soprano" { \voiceOne \soprano } \new Voice = "alto" { \voiceTwo \alto } >> \new Lyrics \with { \override VerticalAxisGroup #'staff-affinity = #CENTER } \lyricsto "soprano" \verse \new Staff << \clef bass \new Voice = "tenor" { \voiceOne \tenor } \new Voice = "bass" { \voiceTwo \bass } >> >>
\score { << \new Staff \violin \choirPart >> \layout { } } \score { { << \violin \\ \choirPart >> } \midi { \context { \Score midiChannelMapping = #'instrument } \context { \Staff \remove "Staff_performer" } \context { \Voice \consists "Staff_performer" } } } </score> == Recordings == The entries to the following listing are taken from the selection on the Bach Cantatas Website.{{sfn|Oron|2023}} Instrumental groups playing period instruments in historically informed performances are marked green.
{{Cantata discography header|work=''Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz'' |instruments=<abbr title="Instruments type">Instr.</abbr> }}
{{Cantata discography row | id = Hellmann | title = ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 136 & BWV 138'' | conductor = {{sortname|Diethard|Hellmann}} | choir = Choir of Christuskirche, Mainz | orchestra = Bach-Orchester Mainz | soloists = {{plainlist| * Ortrun Wenkel * Theo Altmeyer * Gerhard Faulstich }} | label = Cantate | year = {{Start date|1960}} | orchestra_type = }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Rilling | title = ''{{lang|de|Die Bach Kantate}} Vol. 44'' | conductor = {{sortname|Helmuth|Rilling}} | choir = Gächinger Kantorei | orchestra = Bach-Collegium Stuttgart | soloists = {{plainlist| * Helen Watts * Kurt Equiluz * {{ill|Niklaus Tüller|ru|Тюллер, Никлаус}} }} | label = Hänssler | year = {{Start date|1978}} | orchestra_type = }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Harnoncourt | title = ''J. S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk · Complete Cantatas · Les Cantates, Folge / Vol. 34 – BWV 136–139'' | conductor = {{sortname|Nikolaus|Harnoncourt}} | choir = Tölzer Knabenchor | orchestra = Concentus Musicus Wien | soloists = {{plainlist| * Paul Esswood * Kurt Equiluz * Walter Heldwein }} | label = Teldec | year = {{Start date|1983}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Koopman | title = ''J. S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 7'' | conductor = {{sortname|Ton|Koopman}} | choir = Amsterdam Baroque Choir | orchestra = Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra | soloists = {{plainlist| * Bogna Bartosz * Gerd Türk * Klaus Mertens }} | label = Antoine Marchand | year = 1997 | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Suzuki | title = ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 11 – Cantatas from Leipzig 1723 IV''{{sfn|ArkivMusic|1999}} | conductor = {{sortname|Masaaki|Suzuki}} | orchestra = Bach Collegium Japan | soloists = {{plainlist| * Kai Wessel * Makoto Sakurada * Peter Kooy }} | label = BIS | year = {{Start date|1998}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Leusink | title = ''Bach Edition Vol. 12 – Cantatas Vol. 15'' | conductor = {{sortname|Pieter Jan|Leusink}} | choir = Holland Boys Choir | orchestra = {{nowrap|Netherlands Bach Collegium}} | soloists = {{plainlist| * Sytse Buwalda * {{nowrap|Nico van der Meel}} * Bas Ramselaar }} | label = Brilliant Classics | year = {{Start date|2000}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Gardiner | title = ''Bach Cantatas Vol. 5: Rendsburg/Braunschweig / For the 8th Sunday after Trinity / For the 10th Sunday after Trinity''{{sfn|Quinn|2009}} | conductor = {{sortname|John Eliot|Gardiner}} | choir = Monteverdi Choir | orchestra = English Baroque Soloists | soloists = {{plainlist| * Robin Tyson * Christoph Genz * {{ill|Brindley Sherratt|qid=Q53112970}} }} | label = Soli Deo Gloria | year = {{Start date|2000}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Lutz | title = ''J. S. Bach: Kantate BWV 136 Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz''{{sfn|Quinn|2009}} | conductor = {{sortname|Rudolf|Lutz}} | choir = Vocal ensemble of Schola Seconda Pratica | orchestra = {{nowrap|Schola Seconda Pratica}} | soloists = {{plainlist| * Markus Forster * {{nowrap|Johannes Kaleschke}} * Ekkehard Abele }} | label = Gallus Media | year = {{Start date|2011}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{End}}
== References == {{reflist|18em}}
=== Cited sources === * {{cite web | last = Dahn | first = Luke | url = https://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0136_6.htm | title = BWV 136.6 | publisher = bach-chorales.com | date = 2023 | access-date = 10 July 2023 }} * {{cite web | last = Dellal | first = Pamela | author-link = Pamela Dellal | url = https://www.emmanuelmusic.org/bach-translations/bwv-136 | title = 136 – Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz | date = 2023 | work = Emmanuel Music | access-date = 10 July 2023 }} * {{cite book | last1 = Dürr | first1 = Alfred | author1-link = Alfred Dürr | last2 = Jones | first2 = Richard D. P. | author2-link = Richard D. P. Jones | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA453 | chapter = Eighth Sunday after Trinity | title = The Cantatas of J. S. Bach: With Their Librettos in German-English Parallel Text | publisher = Oxford University Press | date = 2006 | pages = 27, 453–456 | isbn = 978-0-19-929776-4 }} * {{cite AV media notes | last = Gardiner | first = John Eliot | author-link = John Eliot Gardiner | url = https://monteverdi.co.uk/downloads/i-booklet_SDG147.pdf | title = Erforsche mich Gott, und erfahre mein Herz | work = For the Eighth Sunday after Trinity | publisher = Monteverdi Choir | date = 2008 | pages = 15–16 | access-date = 10 July 2023 }} * {{cite web | last = Isoyama | first = Tadeshi | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Suzuki-C11c%5BBIS-CD991%5D.pdf | title = BWV 136 Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz | page = 4 | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | date = 1999 | access-date = 24 July 2015 }} * {{cite web | last = Kirnbauer | first = Martin | url = http://www.bachkantaten.ch/Daten09/08/Einfuehrung.htm | title = Bachkantaten in der Predigerkirche / Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz (BWV 136) | website = bachkantaten.ch | date = 2010 | language = de | access-date = 27 July 2010 }} * {{cite web | last = Oron | first = Aryeh | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV136.htm | title = Cantata BWV 136 Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | date = 2023 | access-date = 10 July 2023 }} * {{cite web | last = Quinn | first = John | url = https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Jan09/Bach_Cantatas5_SDG147.htm | title = Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) The Bach Cantata Pilgrimage – Volume 5 Cantatas for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity | website = musicweb.international.com | date = 2009 | access-date = 15 July 2010 }} * {{cite web | last = Wolff | first = Christoph | author-link = Christoph Wolff | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Koopman-C07-1c%5BErato-3CD%5D.pdf | title = On the first annual cycle of Bach's cantatas for the Leipzig liturgy (1723–1724), II | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | date = 1997 | pages = 14, 16 | access-date = 24 July 2015 }} * {{cite web | url = http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=46424 | title = Bach: Cantatas Vol 11 / Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan | website = ArkivMusic | date = 1999 | access-date = 15 July 2010 | ref = {{sfnref|ArkivMusic|1999}} | archive-date = 8 June 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110608151433/http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=46424 | url-status = dead }} * {{cite web | url = http://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000168?lang=en | title = Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz BWV 136; BC A 111 | website = Bach Digital | access-date = 10 July 2023 | ref = {{sfnref|Bach Digital|2023}} }} * {{cite web | url = http://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalSource_source_00002329 | title = Berlin, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz / D-B Mus. ms. Bach St 20, Faszikel 2 | website = Bach Digital | access-date = 10 July 2023 | ref = {{sfnref|Bach Digital manuscript|2023}} }} * {{cite web | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/CM/Wo-soll-ich-fliehen-hin.htm | title = Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Wo soll ich fliehen hin / Auf meinen lieben Gott | website = Bach Cantatas Website | date = 2008 | access-date = 10 July 2023 | ref = {{sfnref|BCW melody|2008}} }} * {{cite web | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale021-Eng3.htm | title = Wo soll ich fliehen hin / Text and Translation of Chorale | website = Bach Cantatas Website | date = 2005 | access-date = 27 July 2015 | ref = {{sfnref|BCW text|2005}} }}
== External links == * {{IMSLP|work=Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)|cname=Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136}} * [https://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV136.html BWV 136 Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz] English translation, University of Vermont * {{cite web | last = Bischof | first = Walter F. | url = https://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/136.html | title = BWV 136 Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz | publisher = University of Alberta | access-date = 24 July 2015|ref=none }} * {{cite web | last = Mincham | first = Julian | url = https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-10-bwv-136 | title = Chapter 10 BWV 136 Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz / Examine me, God, and know my heart. | date = 2010 | access-date = 1 September 2022 | publisher = jsbachcantatas.com|ref=none }} * [https://melvinunger.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BWV-136-Aug-3-2023.pdf "Annotated score"], melvinunger.com * Günther Zedler: [https://books.google.com/books?id=Vvc4cQMTFKkC&pg=PA166 Die erhaltenen Kirchenkantaten Johann Sebastian Bachs] (in German) * {{YouTube|aGbPXyu5F28|Live performance}}, choir and orchestra of the J. S. Bach Foundation, Rudolf Lutz (conductor), Markus Forster (alto), Johannes Kaleschke (tenor), Ekkehard Abele (bass)
{{Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach}} {{Bach cantatas}}
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz'', BWV 136}}
Category:Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach Category:Psalm-related compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach Category:1723 compositions