CLXVI. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)
Composed for the celebration of the Feast of the Archangel Michael (Michaelmas), the text is by Picander, based on Revelation 12:7-9:
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
1. Chorus: Es erhub sich ein Streit (There arose a fight)
The basses begin with staggered entrances following ... the music is rich, with three trumpets and timpani. The initial five-word text is repeated for 41 bars before he moves on to the next verses:
Die raende Schlange, der höllische Drache (The raging serpent, the infernal dragon)
Stürmt wider den Himmel mit wütender Rache (Charges against Heaven with furious vengeance)
Aber Michael bezwingt (But Michael triumphs)
Und die Schar, die ihn umringt (And the host that surround him)
stürzt des Satans Grausamkeit (Overthrow the cruelty of Satan)
Aber Michael bezwingt (But Michael triumphs)
Und die Schar, die ihn umringt (And the host that surround him)
stürzt des Satans Grausamkeit (Overthrow the cruelty of Satan)
Very dramatic. The da capo repeats those first 41 bars of tight tension.
2. Recitative (bass): Gottlob! der Drache liegt (God be praised! The dragon has fallen)
3. Aria (soprano): Gott schickt uns Mahanaim zu (God sends Mahanaim to us)
A gorgeous aria, with beautiful interplay between the two oboes and continuo. The da capo ends with the introductory oboe/continuo part.
4. Recitative (tenor): Was ist der schöde Mensch (What is base man?)
5. Aria (tenor): Bleibt, ihr Engel, bleibt bei mir! (Stay, you angels, stay with me!)
This monumental aria makes up the meat of this cantata, lasting nearly seven minutes. The 6/8 "siciliano" rhythm is the motive of the angels (Schweitzer), and the trumpet plays the chorale melody on top (red arrow)...
6. Recitative (soprano): Laßt uns das Angesicht (Let us love the faces)
7. Chorale: Laß dein Engel mit mir fahren (Let your angels travel with me)
Atypically, in 3/4.
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