Bach’s Cantata 151, specifically the opening aria, Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt, scored for soprano, strings and flute, is one of my all-time favorites. Bach was a master in writing an independent line for flute or other obbligato instrument in his cantatas. Somehow, this technique nearly always causes me to “melt” with joy, whether I’m the lucky player or simply listening.
This cantata is one of the first recordings I encountered in which my longtime mentor and teacher, flutist Louis Moyse was featured, along with soprano, Charlene Peterson. Their rendering of Cantata 151 is beautifully intimate and heart-felt, from the opening lullaby, to the contrasting center section laden with triplets of joy, and then, back again to the lullaby. Unfortunately, their recording is not commercially available today.
I love knowing that Bach penned so many obbligato lines for us fortunate flutists. It is wonderful to be considered “indispensible,” musically or otherwise.
The free sheet music for this aria can be accessed here via 8notes.com.