Largely made up of solo recitative and choral writing, Christus, der ist mein Leben features only one aria, which contains striking and characterful use of pizzicato strings. The urgency and drama of Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? reflects the story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee; Bach responds to this with some remarkably colourful solo movements. A much more sure-footed mood is set by the opening chorus of Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz. The obbligato horn writing converses with choral passages, welcoming God’s examination of their faith.

JS Bach
Christus, der ist mein Leben, BWV 95
Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?, BWV 81
Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136