Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173a
Encyclopedia
Durchlauchtster Leopold (Most illustrious Leopold), BWV 173a, is a secular cantata
by Johann Sebastian Bach
. Bach composed the cantata in Köthen for the birthday of Leopold von Anhalt-Köthen
.
, on 10 December. The relatively simple work may have been written in some haste already in 1717, when Bach had been appointed Kapellmeister
, according to Alfred Dürr
. However, this is not likely, due to the fact that Bach was still in the process of moving to Köthen on 10 December 1717 (having been released from his imprisonment in Weimar
on 2 December 1717). The libretto even shows a date of "before 22 December 1722". So, in all probability, the work and first performance of it date from 10 December 1722.
The unknown poet wrote eight movements. Only two of them, 1 and 5, are recitative
s, but even these are regular in meter and rhyme and may have been intended for aria
s. The first recitative even shows a da capo
of the first line, addressing "Durchlauchtster Leopold", translated to "Most illustrious Leopold" or, more literally, "Most Serene Leopold". The two vocal parts may have been allegorical figures, as for example in the cantata for New Year's Day Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht, BWV 134a
, but are not marked in the text.
In 1724 Bach used six of the eight movements to form his cantata for Pentecost Monday Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut, BWV 173
, and in 1725 he took movement 7 for his cantata for Pentecost Tuesday Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen, BWV 175
.
and bass
, two flauto traverso, bassoon
, two violin
s, viola
and basso continuo including violone
and harpsichord
. The last movement is marked Chorus, but was probably performed by the two soloists.
on the da capo of the first line, addressing Leopold. Movement 2 reminds of a dance, gently scored for flutes and strings, in triplets. Movement 3 is a short praise, marked vivace
. Movement 4 is a duet, marked "Al tempo di minuetto", which handles three stanzas in ever richer variations: the first stanza is for one voice and strings in G major, the second in higher D major and additional flutes, the final one for both voices in A major in a denser musical texture. The structure of this duet is unique in Bach's cantatas, the variations in rising keys, and the increase in instruments and musical texture all add to illustrate the exaltation of the addressee. Movement 5 leads to an Arioso
. Movement 6 is a Bourrée
, dominated by a flute which comes and goes. Movement 7 is in great contrast set for only low voice and instruments, bassoon and cello in unison
to a continuo played by violone and harpsichord. The final dance-like movement shows elements of a Polonaise
. Its two parts begin both with an instrumental concerto which is then repeated with embedded voices.
Bach cantata
Bach cantata became a term for a cantata of the German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach who was a prolific writer of the genre. Although many of his works are lost, around 200 cantatas survived....
by Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
. Bach composed the cantata in Köthen for the birthday of Leopold von Anhalt-Köthen
Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen
Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen...
.
History and words
Bach composed the cantata as a congratulatory cantata, also termed serenata, for the birthday of his employer, Leopold von Anhalt-KöthenLeopold of Anhalt-Cöthen
Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen...
, on 10 December. The relatively simple work may have been written in some haste already in 1717, when Bach had been appointed Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making. The word is a compound, consisting of the roots Kapelle and Meister . The words Kapelle and Meister derive from the Latin: capella and magister...
, according to Alfred Dürr
Alfred Dürr
Alfred Dürr was a German musicologist. He was a principal editor of the Neue Bach-Ausgabe, the second edition of the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach.- Professional career :...
. However, this is not likely, due to the fact that Bach was still in the process of moving to Köthen on 10 December 1717 (having been released from his imprisonment in Weimar
Weimar
Weimar is a city in Germany famous for its cultural heritage. It is located in the federal state of Thuringia , north of the Thüringer Wald, east of Erfurt, and southwest of Halle and Leipzig. Its current population is approximately 65,000. The oldest record of the city dates from the year 899...
on 2 December 1717). The libretto even shows a date of "before 22 December 1722". So, in all probability, the work and first performance of it date from 10 December 1722.
The unknown poet wrote eight movements. Only two of them, 1 and 5, are recitative
Recitative
Recitative , also known by its Italian name "recitativo" , is a style of delivery in which a singer is allowed to adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech...
s, but even these are regular in meter and rhyme and may have been intended for aria
Aria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
s. The first recitative even shows a da capo
Da capo
Da Capo is a musical term in Italian, meaning from the beginning . It is often abbreviated D.C. It is a composer or publisher's directive to repeat the previous part of music, often used to save space. In small pieces this might be the same thing as a repeat, but in larger works D.C...
of the first line, addressing "Durchlauchtster Leopold", translated to "Most illustrious Leopold" or, more literally, "Most Serene Leopold". The two vocal parts may have been allegorical figures, as for example in the cantata for New Year's Day Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht, BWV 134a
Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht, BWV 134a
Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht , BWV 134a, is a secular cantata or serenata by Johann Sebastian Bach...
, but are not marked in the text.
In 1724 Bach used six of the eight movements to form his cantata for Pentecost Monday Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut, BWV 173
Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut, BWV 173
Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut , BWV 173, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Second Day of Pentecost and probably first performed it on 29 May 1724.-History and words:...
, and in 1725 he took movement 7 for his cantata for Pentecost Tuesday Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen, BWV 175
Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen, BWV 175
Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen , BWV 175, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Third Day of Pentecost and first performed it on 22 May 1725.-History and words:...
.
Scoring and structure
The cantata is scored for two soloists, sopranoSoprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
and bass
Bass (voice type)
A bass is a type of male singing voice and possesses the lowest vocal range of all voice types. According to The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, a bass is typically classified as having a range extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C...
, two flauto traverso, bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
, two violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
s, viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and basso continuo including violone
Violone
The term violone can refer to several distinct large, bowed musical instruments which belong to either the viol or violin family. The violone is sometimes a fretted instrument, and may have six, five, four, or even only three strings. The violone is also not always a contrabass instrument...
and harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
. The last movement is marked Chorus, but was probably performed by the two soloists.
- Recitativo (soprano): Durchlauchtster Leopold
- Aria (soprano): Güldner Sonnen frohe Stunden
- Aria (bass): Leopolds Vortrefflichkeiten
- Aria (soprano, bass): Unter seinem Purpursaum
- Recitativo (soprano, bass): Durchlauchtigster, den Anhalt Vater nennt
- Aria (soprano): So schau dies holden Tages Licht
- Aria (bass): Dein Name gleich der Sonnen geh
- Chorus (soprano, bass): Nimm auch, großer Fürst, uns auf
Music
Bach composed varied music for the rather monotous text. Movement 1 is accompanied by the strings and leads to a virtuoso coloraturaColoratura
Coloratura has several meanings. The word is originally from Italian, literally meaning "coloring", and derives from the Latin word colorare . When used in English, the term specifically refers to elaborate melody, particularly in vocal music and especially in operatic singing of the 18th and...
on the da capo of the first line, addressing Leopold. Movement 2 reminds of a dance, gently scored for flutes and strings, in triplets. Movement 3 is a short praise, marked vivace
Vivace
Vivace is Italian for "lively" and "vivid". It is pronounced in the International Phonetic Alphabet.Vivace is used as an Italian musical term indicating a movement that is in a lively mood ....
. Movement 4 is a duet, marked "Al tempo di minuetto", which handles three stanzas in ever richer variations: the first stanza is for one voice and strings in G major, the second in higher D major and additional flutes, the final one for both voices in A major in a denser musical texture. The structure of this duet is unique in Bach's cantatas, the variations in rising keys, and the increase in instruments and musical texture all add to illustrate the exaltation of the addressee. Movement 5 leads to an Arioso
Arioso
In classical music, arioso is a style of solo opera singing between recitative and aria. Literally, arioso means airy. The term arose in the 16th century along with the aforementioned styles and monody. It is commonly confused with recitativo accompagnato....
. Movement 6 is a Bourrée
Bourrée
The bourrée is a dance of French origin common in Auvergne and Biscay in Spain in the 17th century. It is danced in quick double time, somewhat resembling the gavotte. The main difference between the two is the anacrusis, or upbeat; a bourrée starts on the last beat of a bar, creating a...
, dominated by a flute which comes and goes. Movement 7 is in great contrast set for only low voice and instruments, bassoon and cello in unison
Unison
In music, the word unison can be applied in more than one way. In general terms, it may refer to two notes sounding the same pitch, often but not always at the same time; or to the same musical voice being sounded by several voices or instruments together, either at the same pitch or at a distance...
to a continuo played by violone and harpsichord. The final dance-like movement shows elements of a Polonaise
Polonaise
The polonaise is a slow dance of Polish origin, in 3/4 time. Its name is French for "Polish."The polonaise had a rhythm quite close to that of the Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polska, and the two dances have a common origin....
. Its two parts begin both with an instrumental concerto which is then repeated with embedded voices.
Recordings
- Bach Made in Germany Vol. 4 - Cantatas V, Hans-Joachim RotzschHans-Joachim RotzschHans-Joachim Rotzsch is a German choral conductor, conducting the Thomanerchor from 1972 until 1991 as the fifteenth Thomaskantor since Johann Sebastian Bach. He is also a tenor and an academic.- Biography :...
, ThomanerchorThomanerchorThe Thomanerchor is a boys' choir in Leipzig, Germany. The choir was founded in 1212. At present, the choir consists of 92 boys from 9 to 18 years of age...
, Gewandhausorchester, Regina Werner, Siegfried Lorenz, Eterna 1974 - J.S. Bach: Secular Cantatas, Bernard Labadie, Les Violons du RoyLes Violons du RoyLes Violons du Roy is a French-Canadian chamber orchestra based in Québec City, Québec. The orchestra's principal venue is the Palais Montcalm in Québec City. The orchestra also performs concerts in Montréal at the Place des Arts, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and St...
, Dorothea RöschmannDorothea RöschmannDorothea Röschmann is a German opera soprano from Flensburg.-Education and early life:Röschmann studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, under Barbara Schlick at the Akademie für Alte Musik in Bremen, and subsequently in Los Angeles, New York, Tel Aviv, and under Vera Rózsa in London...
, Kevin McMillan, Dorian Recordings 1994 - J.S. Bach: Secular Cantatas BWV 173a & 201, Gustav LeonhardtGustav LeonhardtGustav Leonhardt is a highly renowned Dutch keyboard player, conductor, musicologist, teacher and editor. Leonhardt has been a leading figure in the movement to perform music on period instruments...
, Choir & Orchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentOrchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentThe Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is a British period instrument orchestra. The OAE is a resident orchestra of the Southbank Centre, London, associate orchestra at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and has its headquarters at Kings Place...
, Monika FrimmerMonika Frimmer- Professional career :Monika Frimmer studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover in Hannover. She studied further in master-classes and worked with Birgit Nilsson, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Jörg Demus...
, David Wilson-JohnsonDavid Wilson-JohnsonDavid Wilson-Johnson is a British operatic and concert baritone.-Career:David Wilson-Johnson studied Modern and Mediaeval Languages at St Catharine's College, Cambridge...
, PhilipsPhilips RecordsPhilips Records is a record label that was founded by Dutch electronics company Philips. It was started by "Philips Phonographische Industrie" in 1950. Recordings were made with popular artists of various nationalities and also with classical artists from Germany, France and Holland. Philips also...
1995 - J.S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 9, Ton KoopmanTon KoopmanTon Koopman is a conductor, organist and harpsichordist.Koopman had a "classical education" and then studied the organ , harpsichord and musicology in Amsterdam...
, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & ChoirAmsterdam Baroque Orchestra & ChoirThe Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir is a Dutch early-music group based in Amsterdam.The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir was created in two stages by the conductor, organist and harpsichordist Ton Koopman. He founded the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra in 1979 and the Amsterdam Baroque Choir in...
, Lisa LarssonLisa Larsson- Biography :Larsson studied in Basel and since 1993 appeared in the Internationales Opernstudio of the Zurich Opera House under conductors such as Franz Welser-Möst, Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Christoph von Dohnányi....
, Klaus MertensKlaus MertensKlaus Mertens is a German bass and bass-baritone singer who is known especially for his interpretation of the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach.-Professional career:Klaus Mertens took singing lessons while attending school...
, Antoine Marchand 1998
External links
- Cantata BWV 173a Durchlauchtster Leopold on the bach cantatas website
- BWV 173a Durchlauchtster Leopold University of VermontUniversity of VermontThe University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...