CCCXXXVIII. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #134a: Die Zeit, Die Tag und Jahre Macht, BWV 134a

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

Cantata #134a: Die Zeit, Die Tag und Jahre Macht, BWV 134a (1719)
1. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre Macht
2. Aria (Tenore): Auf, Sterbliche, lasset ein Jauchzen entönen
3. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): So bald, als dir die Sternen hold
4. Aria/Duetto (Alto, Tenore): Es streiten, es siegen die künftigen Zeiten
5. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Bedenke nur, beglücktes Land
6. Aria (Alto): Der Zeiten Herr hat viel vergnügte Stunden
7. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Hilf, Höchster, hilf
8. Coro: Ergetzet auf Erden
Michael Chance, alto
Paul Agnew, tenor
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir
Ton Koopman, cond.
(35:59)

Generally speaking, the Sacred Cantatas are numbered #1-200 and the Secular Cantatas from #200 and above.

The reason this secular cantata is numbered below #200 is that it was later rewritten as a sacred cantata, BWV 134.

Like BWV 58 [Post CCCXXXVI], this is also a dialog cantata, with the alto taking the part of Divine Providence and the tenor, Time.

Time represents the past; while Divine Providence, the future.

This work was written for the birthday of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen and first performed on New Year's Day, 1719. The prince would have been 25.

**

1. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre Macht

Time

Time, which creates the days and years
Has given Anhalt many an hour of benediction
And now has brought renewed prosperity

Divine Providence

O noble Time, alllied to God's benevolence

2. Aria (Tenore): Auf, Sterbliche, lasset ein Jauchzen entönen

An energetic aria for the tenor in 3/8, B-Flat Major.

Time

Arise, O mortals, let your shouts of joy ring forth!
The light of God illumines you anew
May Heaven bless the times with grace!
Arise, O souls, you must prepare a sacrifice
And offer up your thanks to God on high

3. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): So bald, als dir die Sternen hold

Addressing Leopold, personally:

Time

As soon as the stars looked kindly upon you
Most highly praised of princedoms
I brought you your beloved Leopold
For the good of your own prosperity and his reputation
I have cared for him many a year
And now have added another
I still adorn this house of God
And grace Anhalt's princely heavens
With new light and the rays of my favour
Poverty shuns this land

All murderous turmoil flees
And a golden age still flourishes here
So praise the Lord's great goodness

Divine Providence

Praise of the Lord is like magnets
That draw down yet more salvation from on high
Thus all wise princes must prosper
Thus a land will enjoy great blessings
O Time, the lord of time has chosen you
For the greater prosperity of this house

Time

What gifts of grace do I lack?

Divine Providence

Yet greater gifts do I have in store

Time

My fame is already exceptional

Divine Providence

Such fame will be greater in praise of God

4. Aria/Duetto (Alto, Tenore): Es streiten, es siegen die künftigen Zeiten

Bach's art at its highest and most emotionally moving level -- a duet with two slightly different texts, emphasizing the past and future (red rectangle) ...

Divine Providence

Times yet to come contend and triumph

Time

Times past contend and vie

Both

In blessing this most illustrious house
This loving contest moves all hearts
To pluck the strings, contend and jest
Resounding to the praise of the Lord

5. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Bedenke nur, beglücktes Land

One would hope Leopold appreciated all the fawning praise Bach heaps upon his dedicatee:

Divine Providence

Just think, O happy land
How much I have bestowed on you of late
In Leopold you have a token of my benevolence
See from the light of the princess's wisdom
See from the prince's noble life
And from their daughter's garland of virtues
That this house is not lacking in lustre
And that you yourself are not lacking in earthly prosperity
If I am to bring you good fortune in future
Then pray to the heavens above
For their princely well-being
Come, Anhalt, pray for more years and more times

Time

Ah, pray for this happiness
For without God and them,
I should not for a moment
Be happy for you
Yes, Anhalt, yes, you bend the knee
Your ardent wishes join in my prayer

Divine Providence

And yet, O most bountiful fate
God Himself sees into these illustrious hearts
Sees their lordships' shining virtues
Which burn like candles in their ardent devotion
Because of their ardour, which is dear to God
Incalculable good comes to them
And to this land much earthly prosperity

6. Aria (Alto): Der Zeiten Herr hat viel vergnügte Stunden

Accompanied by only the continuo, Divine Providence sings of "harmony of the souls" -- where Bach sets the soloist against an ostinato background:

Divine Providence

The lord of time has granted you
Many more hours of pleasure, O house dear to God
Because, such is the harmony of those souls
Who choose God as their haven and salvation
Heaven is wont to give its blessing too

7. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Hilf, Höchster, hilf

Here Bach generously includes the "thousands" who depend on Leopold's benevolence.

Time

Help, Lord, help mankind to praise me
And regard me not as ill-disposed
But as a golden age for this world-famous house
Come, pour upon it a floodtide of blessings
Yes, for my sake be well disposed to dearest Leopold
For the welfare and joy of the many thousands
Who depend on his mercy
Until he is grey with old age
Bring cheer to his godlike breast
And let those illustrious people
Whom, to your credit you have chosen
And on whom your bountiful light has shone until now
Serve you for years to come
Only in perfect prosperity
In every season, Lord, confirm once again
Your goodness and faith in them

Divine Providence

The bounty of the Lord is renewed each morning
His protection and, above all, His spirit
Are upon such princes
As lead God-fearing lives

8. Coro: Ergetzet auf Erden

In a syncopated 3/8 rhythm (blue arrows), Bach alternates between the soloists and full chorus.

Notice the long melismas on the word leben (life):

and this lovely duet with minimal accompaniment:

The silence from the two 1/8th-note rests before the da capo is slightly shocking ...

Time

Bring pleasure on earth

Divine Providence

Bring joy from above

All

O happy times, delight this house

Divine Providence, Time

May Heaven's grace choose to dwell
May Heaven's blessing choose to dwell
Among these most illustrious souls

All

Long may they prosper and live, exclaims everyone.