DCCCLXIV. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)
Cantata #16: Herr Gott, dich loben wie, BWV 16 (1726)
1. [Coro]: Herr Gott, dich loben wir
2. Recitativo (Basso): So stimmen wir bei dieser frohen Zeit
3. [Coro &] Aria (Basso): Laßt uns jauchzen, laßt uns freuen
4. Recitativo (Alto): Ach treuer Hort
5. Aria (Tenore): Geliebter Jesu, du allein
6. Choral (Coro): All solch dein Güt wir preisen
Gächinger Kantorei
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart
Helmuth Rilling, cond.
(17:50)
Even when Bach's librettists may have felt the need to wander far afield from the prescribed readings for the day to express a related sentiment -- this cantata proves the point.
Galatians 3:23-29 (by faith we inherit) and Luke 2:21 (Jesus's bris),
Instead, the librettist -- Lehms -- writes about giving praise and being thankful -- in declamatory form in the recitatives and poetically dramatic in the arias.
1. [Coro]: Herr Gott, dich loben wir
The opening chorus is the German Te Deum.
Their jaws to trap us
As a bird escapes the snare
Our souls have escaped
The snare is broken, and we are free
The name of the Lord assists us
The God of Heaven and Earth
Lord God, we praise you
Lord God, we thank you!
You, God the Father in all eternity
The world honours throughout its entire breadth
2. Recitativo (Basso): So stimmen wir bei dieser frohen Zeit
In ardent devotion
And present to you, o God, for this new year
The first sacrifice of our hearts
What have you not done since eternity
To us for our salvation
And what love and constancy must our breasts still feel now?
Your Zion sees itself completely at peace;
Happiness and blessings are its lot
The temple resounds
With psalters and harps, and our souls swell
When we but take the ardour of devotion into our mouths and hearts
O should not a new song therefore be heard
And we sing in burning love!
3. [Coro &] Aria (Basso): Laßt uns jauchzen, laßt uns freuen
God's goodness and constancy
Are with us anew every morning!
If His hand crowns and blesses
Ah, then believe that our condition
Shall be eternally happy!
4. Recitativo (Alto): Ach treuer Hort
Defend furthermore your cherished Word
Defend church and school
Thus will your kingdom be increased
And Satan's evil cunning thwarted
Only preserve peace
And beloved tranquility
Then already enough is granted to us
And nothing but well-being is our lot
Ah! God, you will still
Further water the land
You will ever improve it
You will, with your own hand
And your blessing, cultivate it
Happy are we! if we trust you for ever and ever
My Jesus and my salvation
5. Aria (Tenore): Geliebter Jesu, du allein
In 1726, it was the oboe. Around 1734, it was a violetta -- perhaps the good oboists were out of town ...
Beloved Jesu, you alone
Shall be my soul's riches!
We want to put you before all treasures
In our faithful hearts
Yes, when the bond of life tears
Our spirits, contented in God
Join eagerly in song with our lips:
Beloved Jesu, you alone
Shall be my soul's riches
6. Choral (Coro): All solch dein Güt wir preisen
Father on the throne of Heaven
As you prove to us
Through Christ your Son
And further beg you
Give us a peaceful year
Preserve us from all sorrow
And gently nourish us
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