In deepest need I cry to you BWV 38

Scoring: Soli SATB, Coro SATB, 2 Ob, 4 Trb, 2 Vl, Va, Bc

The opening movement of Bach’s chorale cantata on Luther’s "In deepest need I cry to you" BWV 38, which was composed for the 21st Sunday after Trinity Sunday, belongs to a group of cantatas whose opening choruses are not concertante but have been kept in the style of a motet; the instruments merely amplify the vocal parts. The archaic character of the movement is emphasized by the addition of a trombone quartet.

An exciting recitative and an aria full of pungent harmonies is followed by an entirely unusual recitative in which the chorale melody forms the bass foundation for the vocal part. A second aria – which is no less unusual –is a trio which is only accompanied by the continuo; it leads into the concluding chorale which, pursuant to the 1st line of text "Ob bei uns ist der Sünden viel," already begins with a brusque dissonance.