Scoring: Soli SB, 2 Ob, Tl (Eh), Vl solo, 2 Vl, Va, Bc

The cantata "O God, what glut of care and pain" BWV 58, which Bach subtitled "Dialogus" and wrote for the Sunday after New Year, limits itself accordingly to the dialog couple consisting of soprano and bass; further soloists or a choir are not required. In the framing movements, the dialog takes on the form of a chorale arrangement: the soprano presents a cantus firmus whose words are consolingly commented on by the bass.

Both the exp...