One of Bach's most richly detailed and most accessible cantatas, No. 105 (Lord, go not into court with this, thy servant) was written for the ninth Sunday after Trinity in July 1723. Composed for four-part chorus and soprano, alto, tenor, and bass soloists, it employs a text by an unidentified poet. The author's work, in any case, would likely have been altered somewhat by Bach, as was his custom when utilizing texts not taken directly from the liturgy. Within this cantata, whose performing time can range from a brisk 19 to a more leisurely 22 minutes, Bach has infused an extraordinary variety of instrumental color and melodies both intrinsically beautiful and, alternately, expressive of darker subjects. There is also much discerning psychology contained within the arias and recitatives, pulling back the draperies that conceal anxiety, human weakness, and the placing of blame on others. The cantata begins with a boldly pleading chorus, a full body of supplicants who pursue their request with and independent of the orchestra. The alto soloist is given a recitative in which to ask God to not reject her (his, if the soloist is a countertenor ) entreaties, but to hear a confession of all sins, revealed and hidden. The soprano aria "Wie zittern und wanken" (How tremble and vacillate the sinners' resolve) describes how sinners accuse each other and offer excuses. The bass soloist delivers a complex recitative in which he asserts that he who knows his "bonder" is blessed, is forgiven his every debt, the indebtedness canceled by the blood of Jesus. When the hour of death is reached, Jesus transmits the sinner's record to the Father and opens the door to eternal shelter. The tenor soloist then elaborates on the bass recitative by protesting that if Jesus may be counted his friend, Mammon is not with him and that he finds no pleasure in the confines of a desolate world and earthly riches. The concluding chorus brings consolation, expressing the belief that Jesus will make quiet the conscience and bring fulfillment to the promise that no one shall be lost, but shall have eternal life so long as faith resides within. Here, Bach describes God's response to faithfulness with string accompaniment supremely comforting, infinitely lovely. ~ Erik Eriksson, All Music Guide
