CDLXVIII. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van: Cantata on the Accession of Emperor Leopold II, WoO 88

CDLXVIII. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van (1770-1827)

Cantata on the Accession of Emporor Leopold II, WoO 88 (1790)
1. Recitative (Soprano, Chorus): Er schlummert -- Lasst sanft den grossen Fürsten ruhen! (4:23)
2. Aria (Soprano): Fliesse, Wonnezähre, fliesse! (12:09)
3. Recitative (Bass): Ihr staunt, Völker der Erde! (0:50)
4. Recitative (Tenor): Wie bebt mein Herz vor Wonne! (0:56)
5. Trio (Tenor, Bass, Soprano): Ihr, die Joseph ihren Vater nannten (4:16)
6. Chorus (Chorus, soloists): Heil! Stürzet nieder, Millionen (5:11)
Christine Schäfer, soprano
Clemens Bieber, tenor
Victor von Halem, bass
Choir and Orchestra of the Berlin Opera
Christian Thielemann, cond.

Leopold II

Very liittle is known about the why's and wherefore's about this composition, by the 19-year-old Beethoven. We know that the "Joseph" cantata (WoO 87), written the same year, was commissioned by the Bonn Lese- und Erholungsgeschllschaft, a learned society that still exists today.

Perhaps this, too, was a commission -- but neither cantata was ever performed in Beethoven's lifetime.

Emperor Leopold II was elected on September 30, 1790 and crowned on October 9th (Mozart was on hand to perform his "Coronation" piano concerto, K. 537).

1. Recitative (Soprano, Chorus): Er schlummert -- Lasst sanft den grossen Fürsten ruhen!

He is asleep ... asleep!

Let the great prince rest in peace!

When he died, Death called woe upon the people, the Teuton sons cried "Woe!" to the stars. In his mercy, Jehovah looked down -- the the terrors of the night faded ... then the sky grew rosy again, and from iron throats thundered forth rejoicing and greeting, which came down from Olympus. Hail! The thunders have roared, the lightnings have hurled their fire, the ocean's tempests rage no more, the nation's tears are dried! Hail! A cloud approaches in radiance. It divides -- ah, what do I see? It is he, Leopold, our Emperor, prince and father, his image!

2. Aria (Soprano): Fliesse, Wonnezähre, fliesse!

Beethoven was already making sopranos nervous: note the high C!

Flow, tears of joy, flow!
Germany, do you not hear
The angelic greeting above you?
Do you not hear the angelic greeting
Sound as sweet as the whisper of a harp?
For Jehovah has looked down from Olympus
To crown you with blessings
Germany, let your tears of joy flow!
For Jehovan has looked down from Olympus
To crown you with blessings

3. Recitative (Bass): Ihr staunt, Völker der Erde!

You are amazed, peoples of the earth, that the Teuton race has been so richly blessed? See, he comes ... the palm of peace in his right hand, in his countenance Germany's calm and fortune ... the smile of humanity on his lips. Hail him! Hail him!

4. Recitative (Tenor): Wie bebt mein Herz vor Wonne!

How my heart leaps for joy! People, weep no more! I saw him smile, saw how he brought peace, and how the people's rejoicing resounded loudly heavenwards! Sorrow's nightmares no longer remain, no longer the nation's burning tears. The storms are past!

5. Trio (Tenor, Bass, Soprano): Ihr, die Joseph ihren Vater nannten

You who called Joseph your father
Weep no more!
He too is as great as the one
We knew as father
People, weep no more!
Great as Joseph he is too!

6. Chorus (Chorus, soloists): Heil! Stürzet nieder, Millionen

Haiil! Bow down, ye millions
Before the smoking altar!
Look up to the Lord of thrones
Who brought you this salvation!
Resound, choruses of joy
That the world may loudly hear it!
He has brought us rejoicing and salvation
He has brought us peace and prosperity!
Great is he!