Cantata BWV 76
2011, February 11
JS Bach Cantata BWV 76: Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes
(The heavens declare the glory of God)
Second Sunday after Trinity June 6 1723
Scoring: Trumpet, oboe I,II, oboe d'amore, violin I,II, viola, viola da gamba, Continuo
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Bärenreiter vol 6; p 267
Reading: Epistle: 1 John 3:13-18
Reading: Gospel: Luke 14:16-24
Bach Bibliography
Recordings
Discussion
Literature
Dürr p 397-402
Whittaker vol 1 p 181-195
Green p 173-176
Terry vol 2 p 285
Boyd p 139
Chafe p 27
As I said previously, I could go on with this music for a long time. I am leaving these two cantatas 75 and 76 ready to move on, but also ready to listen again and again to many parts which have become favorites.
Part One
1 Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes: Chorus
Instrumental m 1-12
bass solo m 12-16
instrumental m 17-19
choir c instruments m 20-35
instrumental m 36-43
choir c instruments m 43-59
instrumental m 59-66
then a fugue with tenor m 66 bass m 72 soprano m 77 alto m 82: NBA shows no instruments except continuo until m 94 when oboe I and violin I come in, joined by oboe II and violin II at m 99, viola at m 104 with trumpet returning at m 116 for a voice in the fugue to the end at m 137.
Fugal with sections for solo quartet (Green p 174).
The opening chorus ...is cast in the form of a prelude and fugue which incorporates elements of the concerto, both in the ritornello opening and in the contrast between solo voices (accompanied by continuo) and full choir (with orchestral support).(Boyd p 139)
The text is that used by Haydn in the opening of "The Creation".
2 So läßt sich Gott nicht unbezeuget: Recitative tenor
God calls us all to the feast in a very compelling and attractive invitation.
3 Hört, ihr Völker, Gottes Stimme: Aria soprano
A very lovely aria with violin obbligato. The soprano exhorts all people to respond to the invitation.
4 Wer aber hört: Recitative bass
The bass lashes out at humanity for not listening to the call, rather following earthly desires.
5 Fahr hin, abgöttische Zunft: Aria bass
Backed by trumpets the bass rejects the world and
6 Du hast uns, Herr, von allen Straßen: Recitative alto
The alto acknowledges the invitation in a solo with continuo only.
7 Es woll uns Gott genädig sein: Chorale
Discussion of chorale melody by C.S. Terry in PDF excerpt
Discussion of chorale melody in Bach cantatas.com
This chorale reminds me of Numbers 6:26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Part Two
8 Sinfonia
Resembles a trio sonata for oboe d'amore, viola da gamba and continuo. Both solo parts are fairly difficult and dramatic, requiring a high level of musical sophistication (Green p 175).
Whittaker notes that this is the first cantata making use of the oboe d'amore; Bach uses it in sixty more church cantatas, as well as secular cantatas and larger church works. It always appears either alone, or paired, but never with a third instrument.
Four measure adagio in 4/4 time followed by a 61 measure vivace in 3/4.
James Kibbie
Instrument: Trost organ, St. Walpurgis, Großengottern, Germany (1717)
James Pressler
Instrument: The Hinsz-Organ at Leens in the province of Groningen (1733/34)
Instrument: Mühleisen Orgelbau, St. Cornelius and Cyprian (1997)
Instrument: Gottfried Silbermann Organ, St. Georgenkirche, Rötha, Germany (1721)
Instrument: Casavant, Opus 3246 (1975) at Grace Lutheran Church, Champaign, Illinois
9 Gott segne noch die treue Schar: Recitative bass
The bass describes how God blesses the faithful so that they might display heaven on earth in this short recitative.
10 Hasse nur, hasse mich recht: Aria tenor
The tenor expands on the theme of hatred.
11 Ich fühle schon im Geist: Recitative alto
With hatred purged, love is revealed by the alto.
12 Liebt, ihr Christen, in der Tat: Aria alto
The alto exhorts Christians to love one another in counterpoint with the oboe d'amore.
13 So soll die Christenheit: Recitative tenor
The tenor summarizes the message: we must praise God's love and make it manifest.
14 Es danke, Gott, und lobe dich: Chorale
Thanks and praises God and asks for blessing.
The music
BGA score of BWV 76 with old clefs
Instruments and voices for each part
| Section | Instruments, voices |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chorus SATB, trumpet, oboe I,II, violin I,II, viola, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 2 | Tenor recitative, violin I,II, viola, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 3 | Soprano aria, violin, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 4 | Bass recitative, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 5 | Bass aria, trumpet, oboe I,II, violin I,II, viola, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 6 | Alto recitative, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 7 | SATB chorale, trumpet, oboe I,II, violin I,II, viola, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 8 | Sinfonia, oboe d'amore, viola da gamba, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 9 | Bass recitative, violin I,II, viola, continuo (NBA: specifies viola da gamba) |
| 10 | Tenor aria, continuo (NBA: specifies viola da gamba) |
| 11 | Alto recitative, continuo (NBA: specifies viola da gamba) |
| 12 | Alto aria, oboe d'amore, viola da gamba, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 13 | Tenor recitative, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
| 14 | SATB chorale, oboe I,II, violin I,II, viola, continuo (NBA: not specified) |
Biblical references for each part
References for the text: King James Bible
| Scripture | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 3 | Psalm 19:1,3 | 1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 3. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. |
| 6 | Luke 14:23 | And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. |
| 7 | Psalm 67 | Martin Luther’s original chorale text: Es wolle Gott uns gnädig sein based on Psalm 67 1. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. 2. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 3. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 4. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. 5. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 6. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. 7. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. |
References for the text: Luther's German Bible
| Scripture | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 3 | Psalm 19:2,4 | 2. Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, und die Feste verkündiget seiner Hände Werk. 4. Es ist keine Sprache noch Rede, da man nicht ihre Stimme höre. |
| 6 | Luke 14:23 | Und der Herr sprach zu dem Knechte: Gehe aus auf die Landstraßen und an die Zäune und nötige sie hereinzukommen, auf daß mein Haus voll werde. |
| 7 | Psalm 67 | Martin Luther’s original chorale text: Es wolle Gott uns gnädig sein based on Psalm 67 2. Gott sei uns gnädig und segne uns; er lasse uns sein Antlitz leuchten, Sela, 3. daß wir auf Erden erkennen seinen Weg, unter allen Heiden sein Heil. 4. Es danken dir; Gott, die Völker; es danken dir alle Völker. 5. Die Völker freuen sich und jauchzen, daß du die Leute recht richtest und regierest die Leute auf Erden. Sela. 6. Es danken dir, Gott, die Völker; es danken dir alle Völker. 7. Das Land gibt sein Gewächs. Es segne uns Gott, unser Gott! |
References
Emmanuel Notes BWV 76.
Emmanuel Translation BWV 76.
Discussion from Bach Cantatas Website.
Recordingsfrom Bach Cantatas Website.
Classical.net discussion, Simon Crouch.
Discussion from the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Carol Traupman-Carr
Julian Mincham's guide
