Gott ist unsre Zuversicht (God is our confidence), BWV 197.2 (formerly BWV 197),[1] is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.

History and text

In 1728 in Leipzig, Bach composed a Christmas cantata, Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe, BWV 197.1 (Glory be to God in the Highest), which he revised in 1736–37 into this wedding cantata. Movement 5 is a chorale stanza by Martin Luther, the final movement is by Georg Neumark; the rest of the poetry is anonymous.[2]

Scoring and structure

The cantata is scored for three vocal soloists (soprano, alto, and bass), a four-part choir, three trumpets, timpani, two oboes, two oboes d'amore, bassoon, two violins, viola, and basso continuo.[3]

The work's ten movements are divided into two parts of five movements each, to be performed before and after the wedding sermon.[3]

Part 1
  1. Chorus: Gott ist unsre Zuversicht
  2. Recitative (bass): Gott ist und bleibt der beste Sorger
  3. Aria (alto): Schläfert allen Sorgenkummer
  4. Recitative (bass): Drum folget Gott und seinem Triebe
  5. Chorale: Du süße Lieb, schenk uns deine Gunst
Part 2
  1. Aria (bass): O du angenehmes Paar
  2. Recitative (soprano): So wie es Gott mit dir
  3. Aria (soprano): Vergnügen und Lust
  4. Recitative (bass): Und dieser frohe Lebenslauf
  5. Chorale: So wandelt froh auf Gottes Wegen

Music

The opening movement is a chorus in da capo form with a prominent trumpet part and an active violin line. The vocal parts use fugal techniques. The bass recitative is secco and "set to a melody of almost childlike naivety and simplicity". The alto aria's structure combines elements of da capo and ritornello form; the instrumental introduction does not completely recur and the reprise differs significantly from the opening section. The fourth movement is a bass recitative with chordal strings. The section closes with a four-part setting of the chorale tune with varied phrase lengths.[4]

The second section opens with a bass aria that "has a lavishness of sound which is almost unparalleled". A two-part secco soprano recitative leads to an aria that was for bass in BWV 197.1 but in BWV 197.2 is scored for soprano.[4] The aria is in the style of a siciliano.[5] The penultimate movement is a bass recitative with chordal oboes and interjecting strings. The final chorale setting is relatively simple and in minor mode.[4]

Recordings (selection)

References

  1. ↑ Work 00244 at Bach Digital website.
  2. ↑ "Cantata BWV 197 Gott ist unsre Zuversicht". Bach Cantatas. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  3. 1 2 "BWV 197". University of Alberta. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Mincham, Julian. "Chapter 75 BWV 197 S". jsbachcantatas. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  5. ↑ Smith, Craig. "BWV 197". Emmanuel Music. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
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