In Alfred Dürre’s monumental guide to Bach’s cantatas, the work Schwingt freudig euch empor BWV 36c opens the section titled “Leipzig Cantatas in Honor of the Nobility and Bourgeoisie.” Although we do not know the name of the work’s intended recipient, it is clear that it was meant to honor an older and highly respected teacher. Bach must have particularly valued the music he wrote for this occasion, as he returned to it multiple times, using it in both secular works and in an Advent church cantata; in the latter, of course, without the joyful gavotte that closes BWV26c, interrupted by three laudatory recitatives. It should come as no surprise that this composition opens the concert commemorating the 340th anniversary of the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose achievements continue to inspire generations of musicians today.
The second part of the concert will feature the church cantata Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, BWV 84. This musical reflection on the biblical parable of the workers in the vineyard, intended for the third Sunday before Lent, expresses joyful gratitude for all blessings received from God. Although the refined soprano part is accompanied only by oboe, strings, and continuo, the composition sparkles with the diversity of musical means. The solemn opening movement captivates with its oboe part, the vocal-instrumental dialogues in the dance-like aria Ich esse mit Freuden mein weniges Brot perfectly convey its cheerful character, and the final four-part chorale serves as a powerful conclusion to the work’s message.
The concert will be crowned with a congratulatory cantata composed by Johann Sebastian Bach for the princely house of Anhalt-Köthen for the New Year of 1719. The poetic text by Friedrich Hunold features two allegorical figures: Time (Zeit) and Divine Providence (Göttliche Vorsehung), symbolizing the meeting of a prosperous past, thanks to the ruling Prince Leopold, with a future that, through divine grace, appears in equally bright colors. The work concludes with a dance-like dialogue between the soloists, joined by a chorus of subjects, who, through song, praise the blissful times in the principality of Anhalt-Köthen.
Marta Dziewanowska-Pachowska
PROGRAM
Johann Sebastian Bach – Schwingt freudig euch empor BWV 36c
Chorus: Schwingt freudig euch empor
Rectitative (tenor): Ein Herz, in zärtlichem Empfinden
Aria (tenor): Die Liebe führt mit sanften Schritte
Rectitative (bass): Du bist es ja
Aria (bas): Der Tag, der dich vordem gebar
Rectitative (soprano): Nur dieses Einz’ge sorgen wir
Aria (soprano): Auch mit gedämpften, schwachen Stimmen
Rectitative (tenor): Bei solchen freudenvollen Stunden
Chorus: Wie die Jahre sich verneuen
Johann Sebastian Bach – Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke BWV 84
Aria (soprano): Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke
Recitative (soprano): Gott ist mir ja nichts schuldig
Aria (soprano): Ich esse mit Freuden mein weniges Brot
Recitative (soprano): Im Schweiße meines Angesichts Chorał: Ich leb’ indes in dir vergnüget
Johann Sebastian Bach – Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht BWV 134a
Rectitative (tenor, alto): Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht
Aria (tenor): Auf, Sterbliche, lasset ein Jauchzen ertönen
Rectitative (tenor, alto): So bald, als dir die Sternen hold
Duet Aria (alto, tenor): Es streiten, es siegen, die künftigen Zeiten
Rectitative (alto, tenor): Bedenke nur, beglücktes Land
Aria (alto): Der Zeiten Herr hat viel vergnügte Stunden
Rectitative (tenor, alto): Hilf, Höchster, hilf, daß mich die Menschen preisen
Chorus: Ergetzet auf Erden, erfreuet von oben
PERFORMERS
OLGA PASIECZNIK SOPRANO
PIOTR OLECH ALTO
JACEK SZPONARSKI TENOR
PAWEŁ MICHALCZUK BASS
THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA
ALINA RATKOWSKA CONDUCTOR, HARPSICHORD
Duration: approx. 1h 10 mins
