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{{Infobox Bach composition
{{Infobox Bach composition
| title = {{lang|de|Herr Gott, dich loben wir}}
| name = {{lang|de|Herr Gott, dich loben wir}}
| bwv = 16
| bwv = 16
| image = Thomaskirche Interior.jpg
| image = Thomaskirche Interior.jpg
Line 10: Line 10:
| text_poet = [[Georg Christian Lehms]]
| text_poet = [[Georg Christian Lehms]]
| chorale = {{plainlist|
| chorale = {{plainlist|
* "{{lang|de|[[Herr Gott, dich loben wir]]}}"
* "{{lang|de|[[Herr Gott, dich loben wir]]|italic=no}}"
* by [[Paul Eber]]
* by [[Paul Eber]]
}}
}}
Line 17: Line 17:
* alto, tenor and bass solo
* alto, tenor and bass solo
}}
}}
| instrumental = {{flatlist|
| instrumental = {{hlist | corno da caccia | 2 oboes | oboe da caccia | 2 violins | viola | violetta | continuo }}
* corno da caccia
* 2 oboes
* oboe da caccia
* 2 violins
* viola
* violetta
* continuo
}}
}}
'''{{lang|de|Herr Gott, dich loben wir}}''' (Lord God, we praise You),<ref name="Dellal" /> {{nowrap|[[BWV]] 16}}, is a [[church cantata]] for [[New Year's Day]] by [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]. It was first performed on 1 January 1726 in [[Leipzig]], as part of [[Bach's third cantata cycle|the composer's third cantata cycle]]. Its [[libretto]] is by [[Georg Christian Lehms]], opening with the beginning of "{{lang|de|[[Herr Gott, dich loben wir]]|italic=no}}", Luther's German [[Te Deum]]. The cantata's text was completed with a [[stanza]] from [[Paul Eber]]'s "{{lang|de|[[Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen]]|italic=no}}" for the closing [[chorale]].
}}
'''''{{lang|de|Herr Gott, dich loben wir}}''''' (Lord God, we praise You),<ref name="Dellal" /> '''BWV&nbsp;16''',{{efn|"BWV" is [[Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis]], a thematic catalogue of Bach's works.}} is a [[Bach cantata|church cantata]] by [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]. He composed it in [[Leipzig]] for New Year's Day and first performed it on 1 January 1726. The beginning of the text is based on "{{lang|de|[[Herr Gott, dich loben wir]]}}", Luther's German [[Te Deum]],


== History and words ==
== History and words ==
Bach wrote the cantata in 1726, his third year as ''[[Thomaskantor]]'' in [[Leipzig]], for [[List of church cantatas by liturgical occasion#New Year (1 January)|New Year's Day]], which is also the feast of the [[Feast of the Circumcision of Christ|circumcision and naming of Jesus]].<ref name="Dürr" /> The prescribed readings for the feast day were taken from the [[Epistle to the Galatians]], by faith we inherit ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Galatians|chapter=3|verse=23|range=–29}}), and from the [[Gospel of Luke]], the [[Circumcision of Jesus|Circumcision and naming of Jesus]] ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Luke|chapter=2|verse=21}}). The cantata text is taken from a 1711 publication by [[Georg Christian Lehms]], it centers on praise and thanksgiving without being related to the readings. The poet began with four lines from [[Martin Luther]]'s German [[Te Deum]], "{{lang|de|[[Herr Gott, dich loben wir]]|italic=no}}" (Lord God, we praise you). The following pair of [[recitative]] and [[aria]] deal with thanks for past gifts, while a further pair deal with a prayer for further blessings. The poet did not supply a closing chorale, but Bach chose the final [[stanza]] of [[Paul Eber]]'s "{{lang|de|Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen|italic=no}}" (Help me to praise God's goodness) (c. 1580).<ref name="chorale text" />

Bach wrote the cantata in his third year in Leipzig for [[Church cantata (Bach)#New Year's Day|New Year's Day]], which is also the feast of the [[Feast of the Circumcision of Christ|circumcision and naming of Jesus]].<ref name="Dürr" /> The prescribed readings for the feast day were taken from the [[Epistle to the Galatians]], by faith we inherit ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Galatians|chapter=3|verse=23|range=–29}}), and from the [[Gospel of Luke]], the [[Circumcision of Jesus|Circumcision and naming of Jesus]] ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Luke|chapter=2|verse=21}}). The cantata text is taken from a 1711 publication by [[Georg Christian Lehms]], it centers on praise and thanksgiving without being related to the readings. The poet began with four lines from [[Martin Luther]]'s German [[Te Deum]], "{{lang|de|[[Herr Gott, dich loben wir]]}}" (Lord God, we praise you). The following pair of [[recitative]] and [[aria]] deal with thanks for past gifts, while a further pair deal with a prayer for further blessings. The poet did not supply a closing chorale, but Bach chose the final stanza of [[Paul Eber]]'s "{{lang|de|Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen}}" (Help me to praise God's goodness) (c. 1580).<ref name="chorale text" />


Bach first performed the cantata on 1 January 1726.
Bach first performed the cantata on 1 January 1726.


== Scoring and structure ==
== Scoring and structure ==

The cantata in six movements is scored for three vocal soloists ([[alto]], [[tenor]], and [[Bass (voice type)|bass]]), a [[SATB|four-part choir]], [[Natural horn|corno da caccia]], two [[oboe]]s, [[oboe da caccia]], two [[violins]], [[viola]], [[Violetta (instrument)|violetta]] (alternative in a later performance) and [[basso continuo]].<ref name="Dürr" />
The cantata in six movements is scored for three vocal soloists ([[alto]], [[tenor]], and [[Bass (voice type)|bass]]), a [[SATB|four-part choir]], [[Natural horn|corno da caccia]], two [[oboe]]s, [[oboe da caccia]], two [[violins]], [[viola]], [[Violetta (instrument)|violetta]] (alternative in a later performance) and [[basso continuo]].<ref name="Dürr" />


# Chorus: ''{{lang|de|Herr Gott, dich loben wir}}''
{{Classical movement header | show_text_source = yes | work = {{lang|de|Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16}} | instruments1 = Winds | instruments2 = Strings}}
{{Classical movement row
# Recitative (bass): ''{{lang|de|So stimmen wir bei dieser frohen Zeit}}''
| number = [[#1|1]]
# Aria (bass, tutti): ''{{lang|de|Laßt uns jauchzen, laßt uns freuen}}''
# Recitative (alto): ''{{lang|de|Ach treuer Hort}}''
| title = {{lang|de|Herr Gott, dich loben wir|italic=no}}
| text_source =
# Aria (tenor): ''{{lang|de|Geliebter Jesu, du allein}}''
| type = Chorus
# Chorale: ''{{lang|de|All solch dein Güt wir preisen}}''
| vocal = SATB
| instruments1 = 2 oboes, corno di caccia (col soprano)
| instruments2 = 2 violins, viola, Basso continuo
| key = {{nowrap|[[A minor]]}}
| time = 4/4
}}
{{Classical movement row
| number = [[#2|2]]
| title = {{lang|de|So stimmen wir bei dieser frohen Zeit|italic=no}}
| text_source =
| type = Recitative
| vocal = Bass
| instruments1 =
| instruments2 = Basso continuo
| key =
| time = 4/4
}}
{{Classical movement row
| number = [[#3|3]]
| title = {{lang|de|Laßt uns jauchzen, laßt uns freuen|italic=no}}
| text_source =
| type = Aria
| vocal = SATB
| instruments1 = 2 oboes, corno di caccia
| instruments2 = 2 violins, viola, Basso continuo
| key = {{nowrap|[[C major]]}}
| time = 4/4
}}
{{Classical movement row
| number = [[#4|4]]
| title = {{lang|de|Ach treuer Hort|italic=no}}
| text_source =
| type = Recitative
| vocal = Alto
| instruments1 =
| instruments2 = Basso continuo
| key =
| time = 4/4
}}
{{Classical movement row
| number = [[#5|5]]
| title = {{lang|de|Geliebter Jesu, du allein|italic=no}}
| text_source =
| type = Aria
| vocal = Tenor
| instruments1 = Oboe de caccia
| instruments2 = (Violetta), basso continuo
| key = {{nowrap|[[F major]]}}
| time = 3/4
}}
{{Classical movement row
| number = [[#6|6]]
| title = {{lang|de|All solch dein Güt wir preisen|italic=no}}
| text_source =
| type = Chorale
| vocal = SATB
| instruments1 = 1 oboe (col soprano), 1 oboe (coll'alto), corno di caccia (col soprano)
| instruments2 = 1 violin (col soprano), 1 violin (coll'alto), viola (coll'alto), Basso continuo
| key = {{nowrap|[[C major]]}}
| time = 4/4
}}
{{End}}


== Music ==
== Music ==
In the opening chorus the soprano and the horn present the liturgical melody of the ''Te Deum'', whereas the lower voices move in vivid counterpoint, but also a fourth part of oboe I and violin I.<ref name="Gardiner" /> The following secco recitative ends on the words "{{lang|de|O, sollte darum nicht ein neues Lied erklingen und wir in heißer Liebe singen?|italic=no}}" (O, should not therefore a new song be taken up and that we sing in heated love?).<ref name="Dellal" /><ref name="Dürr" /> Consequently, the following movement begins [[attacca]] (without a break) with the voices' "{{lang|de|Laßt uns jauchzen, laßt uns freuen|italic=no}}" (Let us celebrate, let us rejoice).<ref name="Dellal" /><ref name="Gardiner" /> This unusual movement combines elements of chorus and aria in a free [[da capo]] form.<ref name="Gardiner" /> The first section is dominated by the chorus, the middle section by the bass.<ref name="Gardiner" /> Musicologist Julian Mincham points out that it is "an unusual and imaginative combination of aria and chorus" and likens it to the interaction between a pastor and his flock.<ref name="Mincham" /> A second secco recitative leads to a tender aria which was accompanied by an [[obbligato]] oboe da caccia in 1726. In a later performance, likely in 1734, this was replaced by a "violetta", which can be a viola or a [[descant]] [[viola da gamba]], according to [[Johann Gottfried Walther]]. The cantata closes with a four-part chorale.<ref name="Dürr" /><ref name="Gardiner" /><ref name="chorale melody" />


== Recordings ==
In the opening chorus the soprano and the horn present the liturgical melody of the ''Te Deum'', whereas the lower voices move in vivid counterpoint, but also a fourth part of oboe I and violin I.<ref name="Gardiner" /> The following secco recitative ends on the words "{{lang|de|O, sollte darum nicht ein neues Lied erklingen und wir in heißer Liebe singen?}}" (O, should not therefore a new song be taken up and that we sing in heated love?).<ref name="Dellal" /><ref name="Dürr" /> Consequently the following movement begins [[attacca]] (without a break) with the voices' "{{lang|de|Laßt uns jauchzen, laßt uns freuen}}" (Let us celebrate, let us rejoice).<ref name="Dellal" /><ref name="Gardiner" /> This unusual movement combines elements of chorus and aria in a free [[da capo]] form.<ref name="Gardiner" /> The first section is dominated by the chorus, the middle section by the bass.<ref name="Gardiner" /> Musicologist Julian Mincham points out that it is "an unusual and imaginative combination of aria and chorus" and likens it to the interaction between a pastor and his flock.<ref name="Mincham" /> A second secco recitative leads to a tender aria which was accompanied by an [[obbligato]] oboe da caccia in 1726. In a later performance, likely in 1734, this was replaced by a "violetta", which can be a viola or a [[descant]] [[viola da gamba]], according to [[Johann Gottfried Walther]]. The cantata closes with a four-part chorale.<ref name="Dürr" /><ref name="Gardiner" /><ref name="chorale melody" />
* ''J. S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk – Sacred Cantatas Vol. 1'', [[Gustav Leonhardt]], [[Tölzer Knabenchor]], [[King's college choir]], [[Leonhardt-Consort]], [[Paul Esswood]], [[Marius van Altena]], [[Max van Egmond]], [[Teldec]] 1972

== Selected recordings ==

* ''J.S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk – Sacred Cantatas Vol. 1'', [[Gustav Leonhardt]], [[Tölzer Knabenchor]], [[King's college choir]], [[Leonhardt-Consort]], [[Paul Esswood]], [[Marius van Altena]], [[Max van Egmond]], [[Teldec]] 1972
* ''Die Bach Kantate Vol. 20'', [[Helmuth Rilling]], [[Gächinger Kantorei]], [[Bach-Collegium Stuttgart]], [[Gabriele Schreckenbach]], [[Peter Schreier]], [[Philippe Huttenlocher]], [[Hänssler Classic|Hänssler]] 1981
* ''Die Bach Kantate Vol. 20'', [[Helmuth Rilling]], [[Gächinger Kantorei]], [[Bach-Collegium Stuttgart]], [[Gabriele Schreckenbach]], [[Peter Schreier]], [[Philippe Huttenlocher]], [[Hänssler Classic|Hänssler]] 1981
* ''Bach Edition Vol. 4 – Cantatas Vol. 1'', [[Pieter Jan Leusink]], [[Holland Boys Choir]], [[Netherlands Bach Collegium]], [[Sytse Buwalda]], [[Nico van der Meel]], [[Bas Ramselaar]], [[Brilliant Classics]] 1999
* ''Bach Edition Vol. 4 – Cantatas Vol. 1'', [[Pieter Jan Leusink]], [[Holland Boys Choir]], [[Netherlands Bach Collegium]], [[Sytse Buwalda]], [[Nico van der Meel]], [[Bas Ramselaar]], [[Brilliant Classics]] 1999
* ''Bach Cantatas Vol. 17: Berlin / For New Year’s Day / For the Sunday After New Year'', [[John Eliot Gardiner]], [[Monteverdi Choir]], [[English Baroque Soloists]], [[Charles Humphries]], [[James Gilchrist (tenor)|James Gilchrist]], [[Peter Harvey (bass)|Peter Harvey]], [[Soli Deo Gloria (record label)|Soli Deo Gloria]] 2000
* ''Bach Cantatas Vol. 17: Berlin / For New Year’s Day / For the Sunday After New Year'', [[John Eliot Gardiner]], [[Monteverdi Choir]], [[English Baroque Soloists]], [[Charles Humphries]], [[James Gilchrist (tenor)|James Gilchrist]], [[Peter Harvey (bass)|Peter Harvey]], [[Soli Deo Gloria (record label)|Soli Deo Gloria]] 2000
* ''J.S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 16'', [[Ton Koopman]], [[Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir]], [[Bogna Bartosz]], [[Paul Agnew]], [[Klaus Mertens]], Antoine Marchand 2001
* ''J. S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 16'', [[Ton Koopman]], [[Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir]], [[Bogna Bartosz]], [[Paul Agnew]], [[Klaus Mertens]], Antoine Marchand 2001
* ''J.S. Bach: Cantatas for the Complete Liturgical Year Vol. 4: "Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen" – Cantatas BWV 16 · 65 · 153 · 154'', [[Sigiswald Kuijken]], [[La Petite Bande]], [[Elisabeth Hermans]], [[Petra Noskaiová]], [[Jan Kobow]], [[Jan van der Crabben]], Accent 2006
* ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas for the Complete Liturgical Year Vol. 4: "Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen" – Cantatas BWV 16 · 65 · 153 · 154'', [[Sigiswald Kuijken]], [[La Petite Bande]], [[Elisabeth Hermans]], [[Petra Noskaiová]], [[Jan Kobow]], [[Jan van der Crabben]], Accent 2006
* ''J.S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 42'', [[Masaaki Suzuki]], [[Bach Collegium Japan]], [[Robin Blaze]], [[Gerd Türk]], [[Peter Kooy]], [[BIS Records|BIS]] 2008
* ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 42'', [[Masaaki Suzuki]], [[Bach Collegium Japan]], [[Robin Blaze]], [[Gerd Türk]], [[Peter Kooy]], [[BIS Records|BIS]] 2008

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}


== References ==
== References ==

{{reflist
{{reflist
| colwidth = 30em
| colwidth = 30em
Line 72: Line 118:
| last = Dellal
| last = Dellal
| first = Pamela
| first = Pamela
| authorlink = Pamela Dellal
| author-link = Pamela Dellal
| url = http://www.emmanuelmusic.org/notes_trans/transl_cantata/bwv016.htm
| url = http://www.pameladellal.com/notes_translations/translations_cantata/t_bwv016.htm#pab1_7
| title = BWV 16&nbsp;– Herr Gott, dich loben wir
| title = BWV 16 – Herr Gott, dich loben wir
| date = 2021
| publisher = [[Emmanuel Music]]
| website = pameladellal.com
| accessdate = 29 December 2014
| access-date = 23 December 2021
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 82: Line 129:
| last = Dürr
| last = Dürr
| first = Alfred
| first = Alfred
| authorlink = Alfred Dürr
| author-link = Alfred Dürr
| title = Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach
| title = Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach
| year = 1981
| year = 1981
Line 89: Line 136:
| volume = 1
| volume = 1
| edition = 4
| edition = 4
| pages = 153–154
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/diekantatenvonjo0002durr/page/153 153–154]
| language = German
| language = de
| url = https://archive.org/details/diekantatenvonjo0002durr/page/153
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


<ref name="chorale melody">{{cite web
<ref name="Gardiner">{{Cite AV media notes
| url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/CM/Helft-mir-Gottes-Gute-preisen.htm
| title = Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen
| publisher = bach-cantatas.com
| year = 2006
| accessdate = 15 December 2011
}}</ref>

<ref name="Gardiner">{{cite web
| last = Gardiner
| last = Gardiner
| first = John Eliot
| first = John Eliot
| authorlink = John Eliot Gardiner
| author-link = John Eliot Gardiner
| url = https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_SDG150
| url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Gardiner-P17c%5Bsdg150_gb%5D.pdf
| title = Cantatas for New Year’s Day / Gethsemanekirche, Berlin
| title = Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) / Cantatas Nos 16, 41, 58, 143, 153 & 171
| publisher = [[Soli Deo Gloria (record label)|Soli Deo Gloria]] (at [[Hyperion Records]] website)
| publisher = bach-cantatas.com
| format = PDF
| page = 5
| year = 2008
| year = 2008
| accessdate = 17 December 2011
| access-date = 31 December 2018
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 117: Line 155:
| last = Mincham
| last = Mincham
| first = Julian
| first = Julian
| url = http://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-10-bwv-16.htm
| url = https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-10-bwv-16/
| title = Chapter 10 BWV 16 Herr Gott, dich loben wir
| title = Chapter 10 Bwv 16 – The Cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach
| publisher = jsbachcantatas.com
| publisher = jsbachcantatas.com
| year = 2010
| year = 2010
| accessdate = 29 December 2011
| access-date = 16 August 2022
}}</ref>

<ref name="chorale melody">{{cite web
| url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/CM/Helft-mir-Gottes-Gute-preisen.htm
| title = Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen
| publisher = Bach -Cantatas Website
| year = 2006
| access-date = 15 December 2011
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 127: Line 173:
| url =http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale082-Eng3.htm
| url =http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale082-Eng3.htm
| title = Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen / Text and Translation of Chorale
| title = Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen / Text and Translation of Chorale
| publisher = bach-cantatas.com
| publisher = Bach Cantatas Website
| year = 2009
| year = 2009
|deadurl=no |accessdate=16 September 2013
| access-date = 16 September 2013
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


}}
}}


== Sources ==
== External links ==
* {{IMSLP|work=Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)}}

* {{IMSLP2|id=Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)|cname=Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16}}
* [http://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000018?lang=en Herr Gott, dich loben wir BWV 16; BC A 23 / Sacred cantata (New Year/Circumcision)] [[Bach Digital]]
* [http://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000018?lang=en Herr Gott, dich loben wir BWV 16; BC A 23 / Sacred cantata] [[Leipzig University]]
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV16.htm Cantata BWV 16 Herr Gott, dich loben wir] history, scoring, sources for text and music, translations to various languages, discography, discussion, ''Bach Cantatas Website''
* Luke Dahn: [http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0016_6.htm BWV 16.6] bach-chorales.com
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV16.htm Cantata BWV 16 Herr Gott, dich loben wir] history, scoring, sources for text and music, translations to various languages, discography, discussion, ''bach-cantatas'' website
* [http://www.bach.de/werk/bwv/16.html Herr Gott, dich loben wir] history, scoring, ''Bach'' website {{de icon}}
* [http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV16.html BWV 16 Herr Gott, dich loben wir] English translation, [[University of Vermont]]
* [http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/16.html BWV 16 Herr Gott, dich loben wir] text, scoring, [[University of Alberta]]


{{Bach's third cantata cycle and later}}
{{Bach cantatas}}
{{Bach cantatas}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Herr Gott, dich loben wir'', BWV 16}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Herr Gott, dich loben wir'', BWV 16}}


[[Category:Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Herr Gott Dich Loben Wir, Bwv 16}}
[[Category:Cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach]]
[[Category:1726 compositions]]
[[Category:1726 compositions]]

Latest revision as of 22:51, 16 August 2022

Herr Gott, dich loben wir
BWV 16
Church cantata by J. S. Bach
Thomaskirche, Leipzig
OccasionNew Year's Day
Cantata textGeorg Christian Lehms
Chorale
Performed1 January 1726 (1726-01-01): Leipzig
Movements6
Vocal
  • SATB choir
  • alto, tenor and bass solo
Instrumental
  • corno da caccia
  • 2 oboes
  • oboe da caccia
  • 2 violins
  • viola
  • violetta
  • continuo

Herr Gott, dich loben wir (Lord God, we praise You),[1] BWV 16, is a church cantata for New Year's Day by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was first performed on 1 January 1726 in Leipzig, as part of the composer's third cantata cycle. Its libretto is by Georg Christian Lehms, opening with the beginning of "Herr Gott, dich loben wir", Luther's German Te Deum. The cantata's text was completed with a stanza from Paul Eber's "Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen" for the closing chorale.

History and words

[edit]

Bach wrote the cantata in 1726, his third year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, for New Year's Day, which is also the feast of the circumcision and naming of Jesus.[2] The prescribed readings for the feast day were taken from the Epistle to the Galatians, by faith we inherit (Galatians 3:23–29), and from the Gospel of Luke, the Circumcision and naming of Jesus (Luke 2:21). The cantata text is taken from a 1711 publication by Georg Christian Lehms, it centers on praise and thanksgiving without being related to the readings. The poet began with four lines from Martin Luther's German Te Deum, "Herr Gott, dich loben wir" (Lord God, we praise you). The following pair of recitative and aria deal with thanks for past gifts, while a further pair deal with a prayer for further blessings. The poet did not supply a closing chorale, but Bach chose the final stanza of Paul Eber's "Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen" (Help me to praise God's goodness) (c. 1580).[3]

Bach first performed the cantata on 1 January 1726.

Scoring and structure

[edit]

The cantata in six movements is scored for three vocal soloists (alto, tenor, and bass), a four-part choir, corno da caccia, two oboes, oboe da caccia, two violins, viola, violetta (alternative in a later performance) and basso continuo.[2]

Movements of Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16
No. Title Text Type Vocal Winds Strings Key Time
1 Herr Gott, dich loben wir Chorus SATB 2 oboes, corno di caccia (col soprano) 2 violins, viola, Basso continuo A minor 4/4
2 So stimmen wir bei dieser frohen Zeit Recitative Bass Basso continuo 4/4
3 Laßt uns jauchzen, laßt uns freuen Aria SATB 2 oboes, corno di caccia 2 violins, viola, Basso continuo C major 4/4
4 Ach treuer Hort Recitative Alto Basso continuo 4/4
5 Geliebter Jesu, du allein Aria Tenor Oboe de caccia (Violetta), basso continuo F major 3/4
6 All solch dein Güt wir preisen Chorale SATB 1 oboe (col soprano), 1 oboe (coll'alto), corno di caccia (col soprano) 1 violin (col soprano), 1 violin (coll'alto), viola (coll'alto), Basso continuo C major 4/4

Music

[edit]

In the opening chorus the soprano and the horn present the liturgical melody of the Te Deum, whereas the lower voices move in vivid counterpoint, but also a fourth part of oboe I and violin I.[4] The following secco recitative ends on the words "O, sollte darum nicht ein neues Lied erklingen und wir in heißer Liebe singen?" (O, should not therefore a new song be taken up and that we sing in heated love?).[1][2] Consequently, the following movement begins attacca (without a break) with the voices' "Laßt uns jauchzen, laßt uns freuen" (Let us celebrate, let us rejoice).[1][4] This unusual movement combines elements of chorus and aria in a free da capo form.[4] The first section is dominated by the chorus, the middle section by the bass.[4] Musicologist Julian Mincham points out that it is "an unusual and imaginative combination of aria and chorus" and likens it to the interaction between a pastor and his flock.[5] A second secco recitative leads to a tender aria which was accompanied by an obbligato oboe da caccia in 1726. In a later performance, likely in 1734, this was replaced by a "violetta", which can be a viola or a descant viola da gamba, according to Johann Gottfried Walther. The cantata closes with a four-part chorale.[2][4][6]

Recordings

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Dellal, Pamela (2021). "BWV 16 – Herr Gott, dich loben wir". pameladellal.com. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Dürr, Alfred (1981). Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach (in German). Vol. 1 (4 ed.). Deutscher Taschenbuchverlag. pp. 153–154. ISBN 3-423-04080-7.
  3. ^ "Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen / Text and Translation of Chorale". Bach Cantatas Website. 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e Gardiner, John Eliot (2008). Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) / Cantatas Nos 16, 41, 58, 143, 153 & 171 (Media notes). Soli Deo Gloria (at Hyperion Records website). Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  5. ^ Mincham, Julian (2010). "Chapter 10 Bwv 16 – The Cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach". jsbachcantatas.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen". Bach -Cantatas Website. 2006. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
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