Bach: "Erbarme dich, mein Gott" from St. Matthew Passion (Tariq Harb, guitar)

Guitarist Tariq Harb performs his arrangement of the haunting aria "Erbarme dich, mein Gott" from Bach's monumental St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244).
This is a piece that I always wanted to arrange for guitar since my first experience of it was as a violinist in an orchestra. Even though the arrangement is an excerpt of the aria, I aimed to capture the profound sorrow of it and to convey that the music, regardless of its instrumentation, retains its perfect integrity. A guitarist may also choose to perform it with a singer, given that it is sung in the key of E minor, the key signature of this arrangement.
In any case, I sincerely hope you enjoy it. Thanks for watching!
Score: tariqharb.com/...
"ERBARME DICH"
Although his oeuvre now stands at the apex of the canon, J.S. Bach was once music's greatest example of a forgotten genius. During his lifetime, his compositional style was already considered staid and old-fashioned, and after his death in 1750 his music was largely abandoned until the mid-19th century.
The first performance of the St. Matthew Passion was given in 1727. Considering it his most significant work, Bach revised it in 1736. Nonetheless, it was shelved after its initial performances in the St. Thomas Church and promptly neglected. The Passion received a second premiere of sorts in 1829 when the 19-year-old Felix Mendelssohn organized a performance and conducted the work for the first time since Bach did so himself. With this, the concept of "Classical Music" was born, and Bach's St. Matthew Passion has remained one of the monuments of the literature.
One of the most beloved arias of all time, "Erbarme dich" ("Have mercy on me") comes straight from the contrite heart of Peter, the disciple of Jesus, on Good Friday. After denying Christ three times, he realized his sin, and "went out and wept bitterly". The violin solo represents the anguish of Peter's soul at this moment. Bach scores the emotion and a poem by Bach’s contemporary, Picander: “Have mercy, my God, for my tears' sake. Look hither, heart and eyes weep bitterly before Thee.” This is musical storytelling at its finest.
***
Guitar: Martin Blackwell, cedar double-top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides, 2019
Strings: Savarez, CR 540
Guitar support: Murata
Camera: Sony a6400 - camera mic used for tutorial
Mics used for performance: Rode NT55 (matched pair)
www.tariqharb.com
/ tariqharb
/ tariqharbmusic
Tariq Harb teaches at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada: www.concordia....
Online store: tariqharb.com/...

[@Materva-hv6sz]

People are complimenting the masterful playing and rightfully so, but I'm equally impressed with this arrangement. What an addition to the classical guitar repertoire

[@michaellawrence2762]

Gorgeous arrangement .Absolutely astounding .

[@MunredHK]

Tariq is sooooooooo goooood

[@vadimpetrov4933]

Thanks Tariq , great stuff ! Today we all need to prey to lovely god , to clear our our hearts and minds... not only Bach !

[@StefanNiggl]

A wonderful transcription and excellent playing ! Whenever I hear this melody, I think of the great film “The Sacrifice” by Andrei Tarkovsky. Thanks Tariq for sharing this!

[@TeeHarb]

I haven't seen it, will look it up. Thank you kindly!

[@johnd.gibson8812]

You made Bach smile.

[@peterlovmark1859]

impressive

[@kenmarshall9907]

Timeless beauty....transcends the centuries ! Thank you for your talent

[@ianmarteens]

Love it!

[@mortezasoltani4547]

Superb😍

[@robdeshane321]

Masterful as usual Tariq!! The voice of that guitar is brightly expressive with such great note separation! Technically, I find both you and Marcin Dylla are 2 of the finest guitarists in the world. Please keep posting!

[@Carmen_ban2922]

¡Maravillosa interpretación! ¡Enhorabuena!

[@tedc.4956]

Took a minute to adjust to the key, but the playing was so beautiful, it convinced me quickly. You play Bach with such integrity and expressiveness. You are the master of rubato. I am so glad you were bitten by the bug when you played it as a violinist and had to arrange it for guitar. Your arrangement has skillfully extracted the essence of one of the most beautiful arias ever written. Also, the shirt is perfect for Peter weeping in the garden. Thank you so much!!!

[@Materva-hv6sz]

and the trill..

[@wadedixon6595]

Awesome.

[@Reasonable22]

Absolutely beautiful! I have also been greatly moved by this aria, and your arrangement is very effective. Thank you!

[@БАХнутый]

Ещё больше Баха пожалуйста, спасибо 😊

[@coccinella951]

Thank you! 🎧🤍 It is amazing, I never heard a guitar playing BWV 244 before. The sound is pure devotion. Rare. Thank you.

[@francisco_a_pacheco_s]

Beautiful!

[@berndstummvoll630]

thank u so much for playing & also showing so clearly how to too! GOD bless U

[@robertkroese4766]

Amazing, thank you

[@radwandaousi8358]

c est comme une fugue ayant une saveur de hijaz. etes-vous d accord avec moi Mr Tarek.? Bravo

[@AM_SDG]

Very touching, puts tears in my eyes asking for mercy. When the angels sing to God they sing Bach music. Thanks Tarek, excellent performance.

[@TeeHarb]

Thank you so much.

[@obieobrien5883]

Beautiful

[@TheDouglasSeth]

Stunningly beautiful arrangement of this masterpiece. It is no small feat to make such a convincing arrangement. Amazing!

[@BernardGreenberg]

This is unbelievably skillful and beautiful as an arrangement and performance of this greatest of all Bach arias. One side of me knowing this aria (and its containing Passion) well for a lifetime, as another struggles to eke out tunes on classical guitar, I have an appreciation for how stupendous was the task you undertook, and how magnificent the success you achieved. I am deeply, deeply impressed and moved.

[@TeeHarb]

I really appreciate your kind feedback, Bernard. Thank you so much!

[@dennisstinson4023]

Beautiful.

[@samehghaly8927]

Lovely

[@juarezandrade7562]

Que arranjo maravilhoso. Belíssima obra. Bravíssimo grande maestro. Congratulations

[@domjohnnydomjohnny]

Very nice thanks

[@mscir]

Very nicely played. I look forward to hearing more Bach.

[@MirjanaBosnicnéeKacanski]

Go to some caffee and ask of course pay for it. Bach was fond of that. Did you hear his coffee cantata? Not a joke

[@MirjanaBosnicnéeKacanski]

Super ! Pasija ,muka po Mateju je sjajna u vašoj interpretaciji.❤❤

[@marioangel7982]

​@@MirjanaBosnicnéeKacanskiistina

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Outstanding ! Your deep love of this music has brought forth something quite beautiful. Thank you for your dedication and effort to create this. Best Wishes - John

[@vayasaberlo8]

How beautifully you express thus, 0:55 maestro🎉🎉I used to sing this in my years as a contralto

[@GitaarschoolElger]

Awesome Tariq! Lovely transcription!

[@bapgames4684]

Extraordinário. Parabéns. Trabalho excelente.

[@joshuagonzalez3916]

Finally the video of my favorite Bach piece. Beautiful Mr. Tariq.

[@Lord_Archol]

Thank you for Bach!

[@Koga-Ed]

The more I listen to it, the more beautiful it gets 🥇

[@vhernandezo]

Simply spectacular, my congratulations to the greatest Tariq Harb 👋👋👋

[@manitasdeplomo]

Tres belle pièce Très belle transcription Très belle interprétation Très belle image Très belle chemise Merci Tariq 🙏

[@TeeHarb]

Un grand merci !

[@danswansonguitar]

Beautiful arrangement and performance - BRAVO!

[@anatimotijevic6834]

Bah, vrlo zahtevan za sviranje.❤

[@lidiagonzaga3263]

Wonderful!! Bravo!!!!!!

[@TeeHarb]

Many thanks!!

[@ticovogt]

So deeply moving.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Very nice!

[@Guyhart]

Absolutely wonderful. Thanks for doing this Tariq! Have purchased the score.

[@pauletteg3645]

I just bought it too: but how do you download it?

[@pauletteg3645]

everything is ok, Tariq. I downloaded your beautiful arrangement. You are great!

[@francoispallud1215]

magnifique

[@spmoran4703]

A great interptetation . Tariq thank you.

[@wxchang1247]

Very touching.

[@tanjanovicic2926]

Excellent. ☘☘☘💛🕊

[@DarioLaTorreOfficial]

Beautiful work!

[@Lopendeban]

That's beautiful mate.

[@GertimAlberda]

Very beautiful! Thank you for sharing it with the world!

[@RobertoMartinez-kv5tp]

Felicidades Maestro Tariq. Su arreglo e interpretación son magníficas.

[@Lee137able]

So good to hear and see you playing! Very much enjoyed this song. Thank you Tariq. More please.

[@stephanevincent7773]

Merci pour cette belle transcription et cette délicate interprétation.

[@robertocapocchi8379]

Your playing is deeply inspiring. Thank you so much.

[@TeeHarb]

Thank you for listening!

[@ashleyizzard1957]

Totally amazing

[@AndrewMichaelCG]

Yes! This is great! I'll be picking this arrangement up at some point. Thank you for sharing it. Excellent work Tariq!

[@TeeHarb]

I appreciate it, thank you!

[@martingravel1157]

Thank you for that. Magnificent transcription.

[@77and619]

Das ist wirklich einfach schön gespielt!

[@emilianopelagalli1646]

Perfect

[@seemingmusic]

Amazing!

[@peosea]

Wow! Amazing!❤

[@erdemaltun8326]

👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️ great working

[@joycolclough2272]

Gorgeous as always Maestro ❤

[@abdoghraieb4850]

Sublime!!!

[@3koningen]

Thank you. I needed that in these troubled times. You turned out to be a musician of the highest caliber. You have come a long way after winning that Barrios thing. How many years ago now?

[@TeeHarb]

Thank you kindly! That was 13 years ago!

[@metanoia2008]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Medioindio]

Magnificent maestro Tariq!! Where can I buy your transcription please?? Keep that Bach coming!!!

[@TeeHarb]

Thank you! The link is in the description, or here: tariqharb.com/product/bach-erbarme-dich-mein-gott-aria-from-st-matthew-passion-bwv-244-arr-harb/

[@pauletteg3645]

I just bought it, I wanted to know how I can download it, it's the first time I buy a score online. thanks

[@pauletteg3645]

everything is ok, Tariq. I downloaded your beautiful arrangement. You are great!

[@MilanPluhar]

Vůně lehkostí biti

[@MirjanaBosnicnéeKacanski]

Once again.مرة أخرى 👏

[@reginarose9139]

Beautiful!