It's a flute playing ;)

I've listened to it numerous times and can't figure out how it is so effective. I've picked it out on the piano and am still puzzled. Is it inverted? So amazing, and can't still quite figure how how it is so effective.

The only hard thing is your soul.

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It is Bach's own seal, consisting of his initials "JSB", interwoven with these same initials mirrored. I don't know the meaning of the crown above it, but perhaps it is just to make it look more distinguished.

Thank you!

Playing Bach, or indeed Baroque music a half-step down is not a unique trait found only in Koopman's interpretations. In fact it is "historically informed" and almost ubiquitous in Baroque music produced today. This pitch is probably a better representation of what Bach wanted us to hear. If you are after recordings at A=440Hz then you should look for those made before the 80s such as Rilling's. In my opinion the matter of pitch is a personal taste. You rightfully implied that singing at a lower pitch generally means worse projection, and that the bass aria is "relatively high" amongst Bach's works, making it suitable for baritones but potentially not if sung at a lower pitch. However, Klaus Mertens, the singer here, is definitely not a baritone. Listen to Koopman's recording of BWV 172, 2nd mvt for evidence.

Jonathan Valk it’s not as if Koopman ever encourages that from his singers and instrumentalists - he was never very interested in the text. Take the Credo in the B minor mass - always too slow tempo and sung in a wishy- washy manner- just because he thinks ‘it sounds nice’ that way. If you want conviction and text go with the Gardiner version - if you can cope with the sometimes breakneck speeds! I worked for them both and prefer Herrewege ! 😁

I completely agree with you!