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Crucifixus

Mass in B minor, BWV 232

Johann Sebastian Bach · 1749 · E minor · 53 bars · 124 chords analysed

The Crucifixus of the Mass in B minor is built over a ground bass that sinks by half steps and repeats thirteen times. Bach adapted it from his 1714 cantata “Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen” (BWV 12) while completing the Mass near the end of his life.

Keys visited: E minor, A major, B minor, A minor, D major, G major.