Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen

Johann Sebastian BachBWV 259

BaroqueKnownD minorAdagio4/4~3 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 6

About this piece

This chorale prelude by J.S. Bach, part of the Neumeister Collection, is a thoughtful exploration of a penitential chorale. Its musical distinctiveness lies in its dignified melody, subtle harmonic richness, and contrapuntal interplay.

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Teacher notes

Requires a clear sense of the melody against the contrapuntal lines and a sober, expressive tone.

Technical focus

counterpointvoicingcantabileflowing-sixteenths

Mood

contemplativemelancholicserene

Your status

Not in your repertoire

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen (BWV 259) by Johann Sebastian Bach?

Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen (BWV 259) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.

What level do I need to play Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen?

A typical performance of Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen (BWV 259) lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen?

Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen (BWV 259) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.