Bach is not idiomatic keyboard music, but an imitation of voices, instruments, or ensembles. - Ralph Kirkpatrick

Cantata


2010, August 12

Cantata BWV 61

JS Bach Cantata BWV 61: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
(Come Redeemer of the Gentiles)
First Sunday of Advent December day 1714
Weimar Cantatas
Scoring: Violin I,II, viola I,II, violoncello or bassoon and continuo (NBA: organ)
  Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Bärenreiter vol 1; p 25
Reading: Epistle Romans 13:11-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand
Reading: Gospel Matthew 21:1-9 Jesus' entry into Jerusalem
Words: Erdmann Neumeister
Bach Bibliography

Recordings


Christmas Cantatas
Conductor: Kevin Mallon
Soprano: Teri Dunn
Alto: Matthew White
Tenor: John Tessier
Bass: Steven Pitkanen
Orchestra/Ensemble: Aradia Baroque Ensemble
Naxos 8.554825
Date: January 2000


Review and sound samples here



Cantatas for the Complete Liturgical Year Vol 9
Conductor: Sigiswald Kuijken
Soprano: Gerlinde Sämann
Alto: Petra Noskaiová
Tenor: Christoph Genz
Bass: Jan van der Crabben
Orchestra/Ensemble: La Petite Bande
Accent ACC 25309
Date: 10/2009

 



Harnoncourt BWV 61 1976
Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Soprano: Seppi Kronwitter
Tenor: Kurt Equiluz
Bass: Ruud van der Meer
Orchestra/Ensemble: Vienna Concentus Musicus, Tölz Boys Choir
Teldec Das Alte Werk 407420
Date: 01/15/1976

 



Harnoncourt BWV 61 1976 and 2006
Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Soprano: Seppi Kronwitter
Tenor: Kurt Equiluz
Bass: Ruud van der Meer
Orchestra/Ensemble: Vienna Concentus Musicus, Tölz Boys Choir
Teldec Das Alte Werk 407420
Date: 01/15/2006

 

Discussion

Literature

Dürr p 75-77
Whittaker vol 1 p 146
C.S. Terry vol 2 p 255
Robin A. Leaver in Boyd's Oxford Companion p 322
Green p 137

This cantata for the first Sunday in Advent opens the new church year, a very important occasion. Robin Leaver says that this is one of the best known of all Bach's cantatas, but it is new to me. He goes on to say that it was composed at a time when Bach was exploring French and Italian musical styles. Robin Leaver says that this is one of the earliest of Bach's cantatas in the new form, aria and recitative.

This is a very lovely short cantata; the sequence of movements tells a story.

1 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland: Chorus

Bach opens and closes BWV 61 and BWV 36, both in the Advent season, with the same chorales. The opening chorale here is the first verse of Martin Luther's translation of a very old hymn 'Veni redemptor gentium', the principal hymn for Advent for many centuries. This movement is a combination of chorale and French Overture, which was played in the French opera as the king entered his royal box, here inviting the coming of the Savior.

2 Der Heiland ist gekommen: Tenor recitativ

This begins as a plain recitativ accompanied by chords, then in measure ten becomes a tenor arioso, a narrative describing the blessings brought by the Savior.

3 Komm, Jesu, komm zu deiner Kirche: Tenor aria

A plea to the Savior to come to the Church, the violins and violas together play a unison obbligato part.

4 Siehe, ich stehe vor der Tür und klopfe an: Bass recitativ with pizzicato strings

The Savior answers the call: 'I stand before the door and knock.' Dürr states that this is the true high point of the work; Whittaker says the gem of the cantata, indeed one of the most priceless treasures in them all is the ten bar recitativ.

The most expressive text-engendered declamation is here ingeniously melted down into a structure only ten bars long but of compelling musical logic.—Dürr p 77.

5 Öffne dich, mein ganzes Herze: Soprano aria

The soul, accompanied only by the continuo, responds to the Savior in a personal prayer, rather than the general prayer presented in the tenor aria.

6 Amen Amen: Chorale

The Amen refrain from How Brightly Beams the Morning Star. Terry discusses the chorales from this cantata in a PDF excerpt from vol. 2 of his work on the chorales. Green (p 138) states that the most difficult parts are for the violins. Dürr states that in later years Bach might have sought to avoid such mutilation (the use of only part of the chorale). Whittaker also deplores the use of only part of the chorale: The whole of Nicolai's melody would have made a magnificent conclusion.

Whittaker says, short and almost perfect...the cantata possesses all the freshness of youth...and there is something so winningly attractive about it that we can always turn to it with delight I agree, a most enjoyable cantata. I am constantly struck by Bach's infinite inventiveness.

The music

Here is a PDF of the cantata in old clefs.

Chorus, tenor recitativ, tenor aria
Bass recitativ, soprano aria, chorale

Instruments and voices for each part

Section Text Instruments, voices
1   SATB, violin I,II, viola I,II, violoncello or bassoon and continuo (NBA: organ)
2   Tenor recitative, continuo organ
3 Revelation 3:20 Tenor aria, violin I,II, viola I,II, and violoncello or organ
4   Bass recitative, violin I,II, viola I,II, violoncello and continuo organ
5   Soprano aria, violoncello or organ
6   SATB, violin I,II, unison on independent part, viola I,II with alto, tenor, bassoon with bass and continuo (NBA: organ)

 

Biblical references for each part

References for the text: King James Bible, Luther's German Bible

  Scripture Text
3 Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
3 Revelation 3:20 Siehe, ich stehe vor der Tür und klopfe an. So jemand meine Stimme hören wird und die Tür auftun, zu dem werde ich eingehen und das Abendmahl mit ihm halten und er mit mir.

References

Emmanuel Notes BWV 61.
Emmanuel Translation BWV 61.

Discussion from Bach Cantatas Website.
Recordingsfrom Bach Cantatas Website.

Classical.net discussion, Simon Crouch.
London Bach Society Database entry BWV 61

2010, August 04

Motet BWV 228

JS Bach Motet BWV 228: Fürchte dich nicht
(Fear thou not; for I am with thee)
Weimar Cantatas
Key: A Major
Scoring: Double choir
  Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Words: Isaiah 41:10 and 43:1

Bärenreiter vol 17; p 643

 


BWV 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230
Conductor: Sigiswald Kuijken
Ensemble: La Petite Bande
Challenge 72160
Release Date: 11/14/2006
Review on this page by James Reel


 


BWV 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 118/231, Anh 165, 144, 38, 159a, deest BC C8
Conductor: Jörg Straube
Nord Deutscher Figural Chor, Baroque Brass of London, Bach-Orchester Hanover
Release Date: 9/30/2003
Thorofon CTH 2481/2


Nord Deutscher Figural Chor Website

The music

BWV 228 Choeur de Chambre Les Eléments; Ensemble Jacques Modern; Conducted by Joël Suhubiette BWV 228 Thomanerchor Leipzig: Thomaskantor Günther Ramin, conductor 1954 BWV 228 Concertus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

 

Discussion

A short piece, about eight minutes long, this energetic little motet is very pleasant listening.

Carol Traupman-Carr of Bach Choir of Bethlehem writes a very nice essay about this motet.

At this link you can download the score of the motet, with old clefs, soprano, alto, tenor, bass.

C.S. Terry vol 3 p 50 discusses the chorale, in its context in the Christmas Oratorio in this pdf excerpt. Here is BWV 422, a four part harmonization of the same chorale.

Melamed discusses this motet throughout his book. He is convinced that the original performance occurred in Weimar; custom had dictated that all the motets were written in Leipzig. Melamed is convinced that this motet was written earlier, probably in 1714. He offers evidence of the similarity of the style and the substance of the work to other works dated at that time, e.g. BWV 63.

Here is the list of recent recordings from the Bach Cantatas website.

Text references

King James Bible and Luther's German Bible

  Scripture Text
  Isaiah 41:10 and 43:1 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
  Isaiah 41:10 and 43:1 Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin mit dir; weiche nicht, denn ich bin dein Gott! Ich stärke dich, ich helfe dir auch, ich erhalte dich durch die rechte Hand meiner Gerechtigkeit.
Und nun spricht der Herr, der dich geschaffen hat, Jakob, und dich gemacht hat, Israel: Fürchte dich nicht, denn ich habe dich erlöset; ich habe dich bei deinem Namen gerufen; du bist mein!

2010, July 28

Cantata BWV 147

JS Bach Cantata BWV 147: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben
(Heart and mouth and deed and life)
Fourth Sunday of Advent 12/1716 (147a)
Visitation of Mary 7/2/1723
Weimar Cantatas
Scoring: Trumpet, oboe I, II, bassoon, violin I, II, viola, violoncello, continuo
  Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Key: C Major
Bärenreiter vol 11 p 499
Reading: Epistle Isaiah 11:1-5
Reading: Gospel Luke 1:39-56
Words: Salomo Franck
Bach Bibliography
Dürr p 670
Whittaker vol 1 p 134
C.S. Terry vol 2 p 415
Boyd p 219

 

I am jumping ahead to get some relief, and some fun, after the sombre music I have been listening to for about a month. BWV 147a was originally performed in 1716 on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, so it is preparing for the Christmas celebration. Only sections 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 were used, concluded by a different chorale, Dein Wort laß mich bekennen. Thomas Braatz at Bach Cantatas.com gives us the history of the cantata, including a discussion of the chorales used in both versions. The German text of the original version is also presented. Here is C.S. Terry's discussion of the chorale in BWV 147. The cantata was changed and used in Leipzig for the Feast of the Visitation.

This cantata is the source of the famous Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, known to so many in a multitude of permutations and arrangements. I think this cantata should be one of the favorites for everyone.

Recordings



Six Favorite Cantatas
Conductor: Joshua Rifkin
Ensemble: Bach Ensemble
Soprano: Jane Bryden
Countertenor: Drew Minter
Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas
Bass: Jan Opalach
Decca Classics 4557062
Date: 10/14/1997

 



Eric Milnes Bach Cantatas 147 82 1
Conductor: Eric Milnes
Performer: Matthew White, Charles Daniels, Stephan Macleod, Monika Mauch
Orchestra/Ensemble: Montreal Baroque Orchestra
Atma Classique 22402
Date: 03/13/2007

 

 



Harnoncourt BWV 147
Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Soprano:
Alto:
Tenor: Kurt Equiluz
Bass: Thomas Hampson
Orchestra/Ensemble: Vienna Concentus Musicus, Tölz Boys Choir
Teldec Das Alte Werk 407420
Date: 01/15/2008

 

The music

Here is a PDF of the cantata in old clefs.

1. Chorus: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben
2. Recitativ tenor: Gebenedeiter Mund
3. Aria alto: Schäme dich, o Seele, nicht
4. Recitativ bass: Verstockung kann Gewaltige
5. Aria soprano: Bereite dir, Jesu
6. Chorale: Wohl mir, dass ich Jesum habe
7. Aria tenor: Hilf, Jesu, hilf
8. Recitativ alto: Der höchsten Allmacht Wunderhand
9. Aria bass: Ich will von Jesu Wundern singen
10. Chorale: Jesus bleibet meine Freude

 

1 Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben: Chorus

Right away, we know we are here for a celebration. The chorus is made up of two fugal sections, with entrance of the voices S A T B in the first section, then reversed B T A S in the second section. Nicholas Anderson in the Oxford Companion, p 220, says: The technique is masterly and the taut construction is a splendid example of the composer's skill in sensitive, affective deployment of vocal and instrumental resources to create a unified ensemble.

2 Gebenedeiter Mund: Tenor recitativ

A tenor editorial, with strings, decries people's resistance to salvation.

3 Schäme dich, o Seele, nicht: Alto aria

Nicholas Anderson vacillating rhythmic patterns and the warm tones of the oboe d'amore Dürr spends considerable time on the suspended rhythms of this movement in which normal 3/4 time and disguised 3/2 alternate in an irregular order and sometimes in different layers in the various parts. This rhythm heard at the very outset on obbligato oboe d'amore is taken up at the vocal entry to the words 'Schäe dich, O Seele, nicht' (Do not be ashamed O soul) and later to other lines of text.

I love the way the oboe opens the piece, then proceeds to wend its way through the music seeming very independent of the voice of the alto. Certainly they are connected, but they have a life of their own. This piece is quiet, meditative.

4 Verstockung kann Gewaltige: Bass recitativ

Only twenty-one measures, very short on paper, but very dramatic, a sudden wake-up after the aria, and for a recitativ, very melodic. I love the continuo part.

5 Bereite dir, Jesu: Soprano aria

The best violin obbligato, Whittaker finds a parallel to the d minor prelude in WTC I

6 Wohl mir, dass ich Jesum habe: Chorale

Dürr p 676 shows how the violin obbligato is derived from the chorale melody. I wonder why Bach did not include this chorale with the Schübler chorales. Perhaps because the vocal part is not a solo, but a four part setting. This piece is always included in Bach's greatest hits, nearly to the point of becoming a cliche. My favorite measures are 16 (31) and 59; this is a spot where the 9/8 time against 16th notes in the chorale make a very interesting rhythm which is more apparent if the piece is played on the piano.

7 Hilf, Jesu, hilf: Tenor aria

A wonderful cello part counterpoints the tenor.

8 Der höchsten Allmacht Wunderhand: Alto recitativ

Two oboes, frequently playing in parallel thirds and sixths, counterpoint the alto as she sings of the pregnant Mary's visit to the pregnant Elizabeth.

9 Ich will von Jesu Wundern singen: Bass aria

A trumpet opens this aria, with strings and oboes playing together as the bass sings in praise of the savior.

10 Jesus bleibet meine Freude: Chorale

A repeat of the chorale in movement 6 on a different stanza of the hymn.

 

Instruments and voices for each part

Section Instruments, voices
1 Chorus SATB, trumpet, oboes I, II, violin I, II, viola and continuo (NBA: bassoon, violone or violoncello and organ)
2 Tenor recitative Tenor, violin I, II, viola and continuo (NBA: bassoon, violone or violoncello and organ)
3 Alto aria Alto, oboe d'amore and continuo (NBA: bassoon, violone or violoncello and organ)
4 Bass recitative Bass and continuo (NBA: bassoon, violone or violoncello and organ)
5 Soprano aria Soprano, violin and continuo (NBA: violone or violoncello and organ)
6 Chorale SATB, trumpet, oboes I, II, violin I, II, viola and continuo (NBA: bassoon, violone or violoncello and organ)
7 Tenor aria Tenor, violoncello or bassoon or violone and continuo (NBA: organ)
8 Alto aria Alto, oboe da caccia or oboe d'amore I,II and continuo (NBA: bassoon, violone or violoncello and organ)
9 Bass aria Bass, trumpet, oboes I, II, violin I, II, viola and continuo (NBA: bassoon, violone or violoncello and organ)
10 Chorale SATB, trumpet, oboes I, II, violin I, II, viola and continuo (NBA: bassoon, violone or violoncello and organ)

 

References

Excellent discussion by Carol Traupman-Carr
Emmanuel Notes BWV 147
Emmanuel Translation BWV 147

Discussion from Bach Cantatas Website
Recordingsfrom Bach Cantatas Website

Classical.net discussion, Simon Crouch

2010, July 20

Cantata BWV 21

JS Bach Cantata BWV 21: Ich hatte viel Bekümmerniss
(I had much Sorrow)
Third Sunday after Trinity between 1714 and 1723
Weimar Cantatas
Scoring: Trumpet I,II,III, Timpani, Trombone I,II,III,IV (in the 1723 version)
Oboe, Violin I,II, Viola
Bassoon, Violincello, Continuo
  Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Bärenreiter vol 6; p 377-462
Reading: Epistle: 1 Peter 5:6-11
Reading: Gospel: Luke 15:1-10
Words: Unknown librettist
Bach Bibliography

 

Recordings



Ich Hatte Viel Bekümmernis
Conductor: Sigiswald Kuijken
Ensemble: La Petite Bande
Soprano: Greta de Reyghére
Alto: René Jacobs
Tenor: Christoph Prégardien
Bass: Peter Lika
Virgin Classics 63299
Date: 09/12/2006

 


Ich Hatte Viel Bekümmernis
Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe
Ensemble: La Chapelle Royale Paris, Collegium Vocale
Soprano: Barbara Schlick
Alto: Gérard Lesne
Tenor: Howard Crook
Bass: Peter Harvey (21)
Bass: Peter Kooy (42)
Harmonia Mundi Musique D'abord 1951328
Date: 1990, 1999
Liner Notes - Nicholas Anderson
Early version, no trombones.

More information from Discogs.com

 

I have Suzuki's two versions, Harnoncourt's, Leusink's, Herreweghe's and Kuijken's. For me, the two best are Kuijken and Herreweghe, with Leusink third.

Discussion

Literature

Dürr p 405-412
Whittaker vol 1 p 110-121
Green p 49-53
Terry vol 2 p 184
Boyd p 131-133
Chafe p 42-71
Melamed p 56-58, 114,
Gardiner: liner notes for his second recording

Eric Chafe, a man who uses the words 'hermeneutics' and 'eschatological' (both words I have to look up every time I see them) in one sentence, uses this piece as an example of how to approach the analysis of a cantata. This work is well chosen because it is complex in every way, going through four versions over probably ten years in the composing. Everyone agrees that it is likely a composite work, but there is not agreement about the occasion for which it was originally written or which sections were written when. Some posit that sections 2 through 9 were an original cantata, with the sinfonia and sections 10 and 11 added later. Others think that Part One (1-6) and Part Two (7-11) were both separate independent cantatas, and then were combined. Alfred Dürr says perhaps the work was originally parts 1-9, then 10 and 11 were added from elsewhere (p 408). Chafe thinks perhaps parts 2-6 plus part 9 were an original cantata. I have listened to this set and it is more coherent. He states that parts 1, 7, 8 and 10 were added in 1714, and part 11 was added from elsewhere. Somebody somewhere said that perhaps parts 2, 6 and 9 were the earliest pieces.

It seems generally agreed that this is one of Bach's greatest works, perhaps a bit overwhelming for the beginner. I find that it combines older and newer styles of music, is very German in its outlook (this is not the sunny south, in spite of being influenced by Bach's growing knowledge of the Italian style). My favorite parts are the Sinfonia (1) and the tenor aria Erfreue dich, Seele, (10) with its wonderful cello part.

Versions:
1713: shorter
1714: c minor
1720: d minor
1723: c minor

1 Sinfonia (adagio assai)

The sinfonia presents an oboe and violin dialog with a fine walking bass; this could be the slow movement of an oboe and violin concerto. It opens the cantata in the same way as the sinfonia in BWV 12, written at about the same time.

2 Ich hatte viel Bekümmerniss: chorus

Dürr, p 405, and Whittaker vol 1, p 113, mention the relation between BWV 21.2 and an organ fugue, BWV 541.

BWV 21.2 mp3 Herreweghe


BWV 541 mp3 Herrick

Peter Williams (p 83) also notes that Spitta, Emery 1966 and Keller 1948 all wrote about this relationship.

The chorus is in two parts, a fugue-like section and a vivace separated by block chords. I swear that at one point in the vivace section I hear part of the melody of Handel's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Given'.

3 Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not: soprano oboe duet

This part reminds me of some of the music written by Weckmann 75 years earlier. Dürr says of this aria that it is of such overwhelming expressive power that it might be considered one of the most moving arias that Bach ever wrote.

4 Wie hast du dich, mein Gott: tenor recitative

The tenor, lamenting God's turning away, accompanied by strings.

5 Bäche von gesalznen Zähren: tenor aria

Very long, repetitive motif representing waves, floods, tears very wearing, difficult to listen to. incessant, interminable, like a life that has gone on too long and seems likely never to end.

6 Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele: Chorus

A fantasia and fugue in the style of a motet, tiny and self-contained, about three and a half minutes. There is a wonderful independent part for the oboe. Dürr describes this part in detail, five sections in the first part, then a permutation fugue of remarkably logical structure.

7 Ach Jesu, meine Ruh: soprano bass recitive - 8 Komm, mein Jesu: soprano bass aria

The soprano starts the recitativ on measure 1 while the first violin plays an ascending Bb major scale, the bass comes in at the end of measure 3, then at the end of the phrase by the bass, the first violin drops suddenly a twelfth after holding the upper Bb for 7 beats, at the same time the second violin and viola drop a tenth. Oboe and cello then join the soprano and bass in an aria which Dürr compares to a secular love duet of contemporary opera.

9 Sei nun wieder zufrieden: chorus

Two stanzas of the chorale in voices, tenor, then soprano, at first, with trombones added in later version. The biblical text is set in counterpoint to the chorale, in motet tradition.

C.S. Terry vol 2, p 184 discusses the chorale 'Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten' in the ninth part.
Here is a thorough discussion of the chorale on cantatas.com
Here is the score of BWV 21.9, in old clefs.

Harnoncourt, Herreweghe and Kuijken add trombones in the second half of this section. I find Kuijken more emotionally expressive; Herreweghe takes the chorus at a quicker tempo, changing the quality of the music. Suzuki recorded this cantata twice, once in the 1720 version and once in the 1723 version. In the 1723 version he is joined by the Concerto Palatino on trombone in the ninth section.

10 Erfreue dich, Seele: tenor aria

One of my favorite sections, a joyful dancelike movement, with an especially nice cello part.

11 Das Lamm, das erwürget ist: final chorus

Opens with an eleven measure homophonic choral section followed by a 57 measure permutation fugue. Nicholas Anderson in the Oxford Composer Companion says that Bach suffuses his canvas in a radiance of color, unleashing three trumpets and timpani. Personally, I have some difficulty integrating this movement with the rest of the cantata. Somehow it does not seem to belong. Dürr speculates that this movement may have been borrowed from another piece. This seems more consistent to me.

Green, p 49, states that all oboe parts are exposed and difficult. The oboe plays in parts 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11.

Whittaker vol 1 p 110 provides us with an extensive analysis of the music and text, as well as hypotheses about the origin of the structure of the cantata.

I find this cantata filled with many small treasures, miniature pieces of music that stand on their own, not needing the support of the structure of the whole. Writing about it and listening to it, I have learned much: the music, cantata development, some history of the Thirty Years War. I am going to skip a little out of order to listen next to BWV 147, for some relief from the very grave music of this cantata.

The music

Sinfonia and Chorus, Part 1 and 2 Harnoncourt
Sinfonia, Part 1 Philippe Herreweghe
Das Lamm, das erwürget ist, Chorus, Harnoncourt
Chorus c oboe, Philippe Herreweghe
A link to download the score with old style clefs

Instruments and voices for each part

Section Text Instruments, voices
1   Sinfonia, oboe, strings, continuo (NBA: bassoon and organ)
2 Psalm 94:19 Chorus, SATB, oboe, strings, bassoon, continuo (NBA: violoncello and organ)
3   Soprano aria, oboe, strings, continuo (NBA: violoncello and organ)
4   Tenor recitativ, strings, continuo (NBA: bassoon, violoncello and organ)
5   Tenor aria, strings, bassoon, continuo (NBA: violoncello and organ)
6 Psalm 42:11 Chorus SATB, oboe, strings, bassoon, continuo (NBA: violoncello and organ), permutation fugue in second section
    Part 2
7   Recitativ duet Soprano, Bass, strings, continuo (NBA: bassoon, violoncello and organ)
8   Aria duet, soprano, bass, continuo (NBA: violoncello and organ)
9 Psalm 116:7 Chorus and chorale, SATB, oboe, strings, trombones (in a later version), bassoon, continuo (NBA: violoncello and organ)
10   Tenor aria, continuo (NBA: violoncello and organ)
11 Revelation 5:12-13 Chorus trumpets, timpani; oboe, strings; SATB, bassoon, continuo (NBA: violoncello and organ)

 

Biblical references for each part

References for the text: King James Bible

  Scripture Text
2 Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
6 Psalm 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
9 Psalm 116:7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
11 Revelation 5:12-13 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

 

References for the text: Luther's German Bible

  Scripture Text
2 Psalm 94:19 Ich hatte viel Bekümmernisse in meinem Herzen; aber deine Tröstungen ergötzeten meine Seele.
6 Psalm 42:11 Es ist als ein Mord in meinen Beinen, daß mich meine Feinde schmähen, wenn sie täglich zu mir sagen: Wo ist nun dein Gott?
9 Psalm 116:7 Sei nun wieder zufrieden, meine Seele; denn der Herr tut dir Gutes.
11 Revelation 5:12-13 Und sprachen mit großer Stimme: Das Lamm, das erwürget ist, ist würdig, zu nehmen Kraft und Reichtum und Weisheit und Stärke und Ehre und Preis und Lob. Und alle Kreatur, die im Himmel ist und auf Erden und unter der Erde und im Meer, und alles, was drinnen ist, hörete ich sagen zu dem, der auf dem Stuhl saß, und zu dem Lamm: Lob und Ehre und Preis und Gewalt von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit!

 

References

Emmanuel Notes BWV 21.
Emmanuel Translation BWV 21.

Discussion from Bach Cantatas Website.
Recordingsfrom Bach Cantatas Website.
Comparison of versions

Wikipedia article.
Answers.com article
Classical.net discussion, Simon Crouch.

London Bach Society Database entry BWV 21
Bach 101 BWV 21 from Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Bach 101 article, page 2

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