Cantata No.39: Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot (Break with hungry men thy bread) (BWV 39) Study Score

J S Bach Cantata No.39: Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot (Break with hungry men thy bread) (BWV 39) Study Score

Urtext edition based on the New Bach Edition

Richly coloured scoring using recorders and oboes

Vocal score (Ger/Eng), foreword (Ger/Eng) 

This cantata for the First Sunday after Trinity, first performed in 1726, is one of the most musically attractive compositions composed by Bach during his time as cantor at St. Thomas Church, Leipzig.

In its alternating scoring for oboes, recorders and strings, the opulently-structured opening chorus describes the gesture of the breaking of bread.  The arias and recitatives for the two soloists, alto and tenor show Bach at the peak of his compositional powers.  The two-part cantata concludes with a simple chorus.