CCCL. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #130: Herr Gott, Dich Loben Alle Wir, BWV 130

CCCL. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)

Cantata #130: Herr Gott, Dich Loben Alle Wir, BWV 130 (1724)
1. [Coro]: Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir
2. Recitativo (Alto): Ihr heller Glanz
3. Aria (Basso): Der alte Drache brennt vor Neid
4. Recitativo (Soprano, Tenore): Wohl aber uns
5. Aria (Tenore): Laß, o Fürst der Cherubinen
6. Choral (Coro): Darum wir billig loben dich
Netherlands Bach Society
(16:26)

Written for Michaelmas Day (September 29, 1724), the unknown poet used the first, eleventh and twelfth stanzas of Paul Eber's 1554 hymn (after Phillipp Melanchton) for Movements 1, 5 and 6.

First Movement

Announcing the glory with a large orchestra, including three trumpets, Bach puts the hymn melody as a cantus firmus in the soprani.

The chorus sings a stanza; the orchestra plays alone for a few bars, and then the chorus enters with the next stanza. Bach word-paints the important ones with melismas:

Lord God, we praise (loben) Thee, all of us
With just and hearty thankfulness (danken)
That Thou hast There an Angel (schon) band
To serve (schwebn) and guide at Thy command

Second and Third Movements

A recitative for the Alto:

Their splendor bright and lofty wisdom shows
How God His Grace on man bestows
To give us such a mighty legion
For our protection
To honor Him they never rest
But go and come at His divine behest
They serve, Lord, Christ, at Thy command
And guard They feeble faithful band
How sore we need them in our plight
To baffle Satan's night!

Followed by a glorious aria (beware of Satan!) for the Bass, featuring blaring trumpets and a thundering timpani!

Another great word-painting melisma on the word trennet (separate):

In Hell the Serpent, hot with hate
Forever plots our evil fate
And hopes They little band to sever
He would, with joy, They Name defile
Beware ye of his guile
For he from craft is resting never

Fourth Movement

A beautiful soprano and tenor recitative:

Fifth Movement

A gavotte-like dance features the tenor in this da capo aria, supported by a solo flute in perpetual motion. Satan drops out of the narrative in favor of protective angels, with a mention of the prophet Elijah:

Thou, of Cherubim the Master,
Let Thine Angel legion soar
Evermore
Over us, to foil disaster
As to Heav'n they bore Elias
May they bear and glorify us

Sixth Movement

The hymn tune melody returns for the final chorale. The angelic trumpets are along for the ride, as well.