The term cantata invented in Italy in the 17th century refers to a piece of music written for voice or voices cantare and instruments By Bachs time 16851750 cantatas were generally works that contained several movements or distinct sections with tempo and key changes ID: 691017
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Slide1
What is a (Bach) CantataSlide2
The term 'cantata', invented in Italy in the 17th century, refers to a piece of music written for voice or voices
(
cantare
) and
instruments.
By Bach's time (1685-1750), cantatas were generally works that contained several movements or distinct sections with tempo and key changes.Slide3
When a cantata is sung and What is sung
generally sacred works based on Biblical texts, or sometimes on choral texts from the previous century. These types of cantatas were usually performed during a Lutheran church service.
The Lutheran church services during the early 18th century were lengthy by our standards – running close to three hours including readings, a sermon, and hymn (chorale)
singing
“sacred libretti” These
texts are often constructed as 'spiritual dramas' that often dissect a Biblical passage or explore a theological concept through individual arias and recitativesSlide4
How is a Bach Cantata named?
BWV 107 - "Was willst du dich betrüben
Catalogue Number: BWV 107
Bach-
Werke
-
Verzeichnis
(abbreviated BWV)
The numbering has nothing to do with either the date of composition or the liturgical calendar, but rather reflects the order in which they were cataloged in 1950 by Wolfgang Schmiede
Cantata Title
The first line of the libretto’s text by
Johann
Heermann
,
1630
:
Was willst du dich betrüben,
(O
meine liebe Seel
?) OR
Why do you wish to trouble
yourself, (O
my beloved soul
?) OR
Don’t worry. Be happy!Slide5
The Cantata's relationship to the Lutheran Chorale (Hymn
)
These
chorales were
very familiar to Bach’s congregation, and he employed them in the vast majority of his cantatas.
The
most common use of chorales was as a conclusion to the piece, generally in a four-part harmonization where the tune would be prominently audible.
Many of the texts were authored by Martin LutherSlide6
BWV 107 Chorale Text:
Lord, grant that Your
honor, for
all the days of my life,
may grow in the depths of my
heart, let
praise and thanks be said to You!
O Father, Son, and
Spirit, Who out of pure grace have turned away suffering and pain, be always praised!Slide7
The Chorale Tune:
“Von Gott will ich nicht lassen.”
From God I will never turn away”
Set as a
Sicilliano
, a rhythmic dance form that
always has a special
melancholy quality
in BachA Bach favoriteThis tune with the original words was the subject of one of Bach's greatest organ chorale preludes, BWV 658
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aieXS06QiKk