This is a 2-part cantata, four numbers making the first part and three, -a curious arrangement, the second, Part 2d, as it says in the complete edition. The orchestra is almost a standard, 2 x oboes + continuo, strings and 4 voice solo/choir. -But, a flute is required...
Bach: The Cantatas
General
– 9th Sunday after Trinity – 13th August 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 168 – ‘Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort’ –
This cantata uses its X 2 oboe d'amore orchestra, albeit sparingly, the strings appearing only in the first aria, all the other arias and recits accompanied only by oboes or continuo and the full voiced chorus featuring only in the closing tutti choral. 1/Aria: 'Open...
– Eight Sunday after Trinity – 6th August 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BVW 178 – ,Wo Gott der Herr nich bei uns halt’ –
Apart from a reinforcing horn in the opening chorus and closing choral, the orchestra for BWV 178 is a standard x2 oboe ensemble, with choir and continuo. However, the text is large and long, the unknown arranger taking the majority of verses from the 8 verse hymn and...
– Seventh Sunday after Trinity – 30th July 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 187 – ,Es warrtet allkes auf dich’ –
A cantata featuring the small oboe orchestra and in two parts, 3+4. Despite this, it shows tight structure and wide varied range. 1/(chorus) 'These wait upon you, that you may, -in good time, give them sustenance. When you do, they gather. When you open your hand,...
– The 4th Sunday after Trinity – 2nd July 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 185 – ,Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe’ –
This cantata comes down to us in two versions. The1715 first performance, in Weimar, was revived in Leipzig, 1723, for which Bach made some small changes, mainly concerning the pitch and the instrumentation. It may seem right and proper to use the 1723 version, as the...
– The Nativity of St John the Baptist – Saturday 24th June 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 167 – ,Ihr Menschen, ruhmet Gottes Liebe’ –
This 5-movement cantata features, an oboe orchestra, -with a da caccia option during the 3rd movement aria and the addition of a clarion, -slide trumpet, (or 'natural' trumpet?), to reinforce the chorale melody during the last chorale movement, in fact the only...
– First Sunday after Trinity – J.S.Bach – cantata BWV 75 – ,Die Elenden sollen essen’ –
This is Bach's very first Leipzig cantata and for this occasion, he presents himself, at his very best. In the hierarchy of Bach masterpieces, this particular one registers as supreme. A seemingly long cantata, with considerable dimensions, -14 movements and...
– Trinity Sunday – 4th June 2023 – J.S.Bach – cantata BWV 176 – ‘Es ist ein trotzig und verzagt Ding’ –
An oboe orchestra, + da caccia option, with four-part choir/soloists and continuo, this 6 movement setting contains no tenor solo, although there are two for alto voice. The mention of Nicodemus, brings up the pithy philosophical subject of a contrast, that between...
– Whit Monday – 29th May 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 174 -‘Ich liebe den Hochsten von ganzem Gemute’ –
An overbalanced cantata, in the sense that the enormous first movement, -complete with 2 x horns, which never reappear and a concertante/ripieno arrangement of the strings and wind, + chorus and continuo, as usual, completely dominates the feel, texture and...
– Whitsunday- 28th May 2023 – J.S.Bach cantata BWV 74 – ‘Wer mich Liebet, der wird mein Wort halten’ –
This Whitsunday cantata is of 8 movements, featuring a festive orchestra, 3 x trumpets + timpani, a trio of oboes, including 1 x oboe da caccia, strings, 4-part chorus and soloists, with continue accompaniment. Strong similarities, with BWV 59, movements 1 and 4....