rssBach is not idiomatic keyboard music, but an imitation of voices, instruments, or ensembles. - Ralph Kirkpatrick
Cantata
2010, August 26
Cantata BWV 152
JS Bach Cantata BWV 152: Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn
(Walk in the path of faith)
Sunday after Christmas December 30 1714
Weimar Cantatas
Scoring: Recorder, oboe, viola d'amore, viola da gamba, organ
Soprano, Bass
Bärenreiter vol 2; p 25
Reading: Epistle Galatians 4:1-7
Reading: Gospel Luke 2:33-40
Words: Salomon Franck: Luke 2:33-40
Recordings
Discussion
Literature
Dürr p 134-137
Whittaker vol 1 p 93-100
Green p 332-333
Boyd p 483
1 Sinfonia
Contrapuntally intricate (Green), this movement starts out with four slow measures, then moves into a fugal section related to BWV 536. Dürr states that this is one of the few purely instrumental fugues in the cantatas.
2 Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn: bass aria with oboe
Really a duet between oboe and bass, the oboe part is truly memorable. I can listen to this part over and over.
3 Der Heiland ist gesetzt: bass recitative and arioso
Tenth measure, transition to fifteen measure arioso. The famous drop of a tenth from F# to D# on 'zum Fall' occurs between the third and fourth measures.
4 Stein, der über alle Schätze: soprano aria
Lovely part for the viola d'amore
5 Es ärgre sich die kluge Welt: bass recitative
Straightforward declamation.
6 Wie soll ich dich, Liebster der Seelen, umfassen?: bass soprano duet
Dialog text alternates with the third voice of the oboe in canon.
Several things combine to make this an unusual cantata for Bach: the distinctive chamber orchestration with only two singers, no violins, no chorales, allusions rather than biblical texts, the use of the viola da gamba (only appears in six cantatas) and a viola d'amore (appears twice again in secular cantatas). Boyd (p 483) states that a feature of this cantata is that it includes no movements in da cappo form. There is no going back along the path of faith.
Green describes this as a true chamber cantata requiring strong players on all parts. It could be very effectively performed without a conductor.Ruth Holton is sublime in the Leusink recording; this is my favorite performance of this cantata. Everything is in miniature in this piece; when you have finished listening, you hardly feel you have heard a cantata.
The music
Sinfonia, aria, recitativ
Aria, recitativ, aria duet
Organ fugue bwv 536
BWV 152 in old clefs PDF
Instruments and voices for each part
| Instruments, voices | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sinfonia: Recorder, oboe, viola d'amore, viola da gamba, and continuo (NBA: organ) |
| 2 | Bass aria: oboe, and continuo (NBA: viola da gamba, organ) |
| 3 | Bass recitative, continuo (NBA: viola da gamba, organ) |
| 4 | Soprano aria, recorder, viola d'amore and continuo (NBA: viola da gamba, organ) |
| 5 | Bass recitative, continuo (NBA: viola da gamba, organ) |
| 6 | Soprano bass duet, recorder, oboe, viola d'amore, continuo (NBA: viola da gamba, organ) |
The viola da gamba and the viola d'amore were members of the viol family played often in the baroque period. The number of strings varied and the tuning of the instruments depended on the music being played. There are people actively engaged in keeping these traditions alive.
- Here is a comparison of a viola da gamba and a modern violoncello.
- A viola d'amore by a modern maker.
- Images from the Viola d'amore Society of America
- Viola da gamba Society of America.
- WikiPedia article about viola d'amore.
Biblical references for each part
| King James Bible | Luther's German Bible | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Luke 2:34 | And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; | Und Simeon segnete sie und sprach zu Maria, seiner Mutter: Siehe, dieser wird gesetzt zu einem Fall und Auferstehen vieler in Israel und zu einem Zeichen, dem widersprochen wird |
| 2 3 4 | Psalm 118:22 | The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. | Der Stein, den die Bauleute verworfen, ist zum Eckstein worden. |
References
Emmanuel Notes BWV 152.
Emmanuel Translation BWV 152.
Discussion from Bach Cantatas Website.
Recordingsfrom Bach Cantatas Website.
Classical.net discussion, Simon Crouch.
London Bach Society Database entry BWV 152
BWV 152 from Answers.com
2010, August 18
Cantata BWV 63
JS Bach Cantata BWV 63: Christen, ätzet diesen Tag
(Christians, engrave this day)
Christmas day December 25 1714
Weimar Cantatas
Scoring: Four trumpets, timpani, three oboes, bassoon, violin I,II, viola, violone, organo
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Bärenreiter vol 1; p 151
Reading: Epistle Titus 2:11-14
Reading: Gospel Luke 2:1-14
Bach Bibliography
Recordings
Conductor: Philip Pickett
Soprano: Catherine Bott
Countertenor: Christopher Robson
Tenor: Paul Agnew, Andrew King
Bass: Michael George
Orchestra/Ensemble: New London Consort
L'oiseau Lyre 452920
Date: 10/1997
Review and notes here.
Discussion
Literature
Dürr p 91-93
Whittaker vol 1 p 705
C.S. Terry vol 2 p 255
Robin A. Leaver in Boyd's Oxford Companion p 95
Green p 141
An unusual cantata in that there are no arias, no chorales, no scripture references, and four trumpets are employed in the choruses. In a very small package this is wonderful music with duets, obbligato oboe parts, a choral concerto and remarkably melodic recitatives. Green states that the instrumental parts are quite challenging and require expert players, especially in the outer movements. Whittaker minutely describes the development of the music.
1 Christen, ätzet diesen Tag: exuberant celebratory opening chorus
Trumpets and timpani play during the instrumental interludes, the choir acts together as a concerto instrument.
Guaranteed to wake up a sleepy congregation.
2 O selger Tag! o ungemeines Heute: alto recitative
Rather quiet, the alto sings of the blessings of the Savior's birth.
3 Gott, du hast es wohl gefüget: soprano bass duet with oboe
Green: exposed and intricate oboe solo. Dürr: this oboe part was transferred to organ for a later performance; he considers both alternatives should be available to contemporary performers. This is a very intense duet, two voices and an obbligato oboe.
4 So kehret sich nun heut: tenor recitative
Short, starts as a dry recitative, then Whittaker states that it develops into an arioso. Personally, it seems to me a straight recitative.
5 Ruft und fleht den Himmel an: tenor alto duet
The blend of canonical device, straightforward tunes and the circling movement provides a delightful picture of the happy condition of believers swinging and swaying in a dance of unbounded joy. - Whittaker p 708
6 Verdoppelt euch demnach, ihr heißen: bass recitativ
Emphatic, marked for eight parts: three oboes, bassoon, strings and continuo contribute seven independent lines (Whittaker p 706). To me the instrumental parts sound more like block chords.
7 Höchster, schau in Gnaden an: final chorus
Back with the trumpets and timpani
Green compares the orchestration of the opening and final choruses to the Brandenburg concerti; trumpets and timpani alternate with the choir making the impression of a concerto stronger, particularly in the opening chorus.
Parts two, three and four are my favorites, part two so personal, part three truly a trio with two voices and the oboe and part four with such a persuasive tenor.
The music
Here is a PDF of the cantata in old clefs.
Opening Chorus
Recitativ alto
Duet soprano, bass
Recitativ tenor
Duet tenor, alto
Recitativ bass
Final chorus
References
Emmanuel Notes BWV 63.
Emmanuel Translation BWV 63.
Discussion from Bach Cantatas Website.
Recordingsfrom Bach Cantatas Website.
Classical.net discussion, Simon Crouch.
London Bach Society Database entry BWV 63
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
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
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
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! |
