Bach composed the cantata "Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid" for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany in 1725; it is part of the choral cantata cycle. In the large-scale choral movement, a sorrowful choral movement with expansive orchestral parts, this time the bass is given the task of performing the cantus firmus, reinforced in sections by a trombone. This is immediately followed by the second chorale verse in a four-part movement, but interrupted after each chorale line by a short recitative (each by a different voice). The bass again takes on the conclusion of the recitative and the following melismatic continuo aria. The second aria is a duet, expanded into a quartet movement with oboes d'amore and continuo, leading to the final chorale with its rich passagework.
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