rssWe live and learn in the book of our fellow-men. - Ellis Peters
2010, February 06
Cantata BWV 150
JS Bach Cantata BWV 150 Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich
(To Thee, Lord, I lift up my soul)
Occasion unknown.
Mühlhausen Cantatas
Scoring: Violin I,II, bassoon, continuo
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Bärenreiter vol 17; p 275
Words: Free verse, biblical verses
Dürr (p 773) states that this cantata has been criticised and there have been doubts as to its authenticity. However, he concludes that the piece is probably by Bach, and might be considered an authentic though very early cantata—perhaps the earliest of all.
BWV 150 |
|
4. Chorus: Leite mich und lehre mich |
Instruments and voices for each part
| Section | Text | Instruments, voices |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sinfonia, all instruments and continuo. | |
| 2 | Psalms 25:1-2 | Chorus, SATB, all instruments and continuo. |
| 3 | Aria, soprano, violin I II, continuo | |
| 4 | Psalms 25:5 | Tutti, SATB, all instruments and continuo |
| 5 | Trio aria, ATB bassoon, continuo | |
| 6 | Psalms 25:15 | Chorus, SATB, all instruments and continuo |
| 7 | Tutti ciacona, SATB, all instruments and continuo |
References for the text: Luther's German Bible
| Scripture | Text | Part | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Psalms 25:1-2 | Ein Psalm Davids. Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich. Mein Gott, ich hoffe auf dich. Laß mich nicht zuschanden werden, daß sich meine Feinde nicht freuen über mich! |
Chorus |
| 4 | Psalms 25:5 | Leite mich in deiner Wahrheit und lehre mich; denn du bist der Gott, der mir hilft; täglich harre ich dein. | Chorus |
| 6 | Psalms 25:15 | Meine Augen sehen stets zu dem Herrn denn er wird meinen Fuß aus dem Netze ziehen. | Alto tenor bass aria |
References for the text: King James Bible
| Scripture | Text | Part | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Psalms 25:1-2 | Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. |
Chorus |
| 4 | Psalms 25:5 | Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. | Chorus |
| 6 | Psalms 25:15 | Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. | Alto tenor bass aria |
Whittaker (p 55) gives us a description of section 5, the alto tenor bass trio aria, in which cedars are described as tossed by the wind, Cedern müssen von den Winden oft viel Ungemach emfinden, oftmalsvwerden sie verkehrt. Rath und That auf' Gott gestellet' (Cedars from the wind often much calamity experience, oft-times are they overturned. Thought and action on God place).
Other links:
Emmanuel Notes BWV 150
Emmanuel Translation BWV 150
Discussion from Bach Cantatas Website
Recordingsfrom Bach Cantatas Website
John Eliot Gardiner Cantatas, PDF index
John Eliot Gardiner Cantatas Recording
London Bach Society Database entry BWV 150
Article AllMusic.com BWV 150
Classical.net discussion, Simon Crouch
