Bekennen will ich seinen Namen (I shall acknowledge His name), BWV 200, is an arrangement by Johann Sebastian Bach of the aria "Dein Kreuz, o Bräutgam meiner Seelen" contained in Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel's passion-oratorio Die leidende und am Kreuz sterbende Liebe. Bach's arrangement, dated around 1742–1743, was possibly part of a cantata for the feast of Purification of the Virgin Mary.
Contents
History and text
The aria is considered to be a cantata-fragment. It was likely written for the Feast of the Purification of Mary. The prescribed readings for the day were Malachi 3:1–4, and Luke 2:22–32.
Bach likely performed his arrangement in 1742 in Leipzig.
Music
The aria is scored for solo alto voice, two violins, and basso continuo. As with many of Bach's latest cantatas, the aria has a "quality of mellow assurance". It is in adapted ternary form but includes no clear reprise of the opening section. The vocal line includes melismas but no other word painting.