Bach Cantata Notes

BWV 37

Bach Cantata BWV 37 is one of the most lucid and gentle of all the cantatas. Particularly striking is the gorgeous and dancing chorus that opens the work. Almost exactly the same words ere set in a very different and austere manner in Cantata BWV 68 which we performed in March. The tenor aria is missing its obbligato violin part. We are using a reconstruction written by our friend John Harbison. The beautiful chorale prelude for soprano and alto solos with continuo uses the chorale "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern." Here the dancing quality of the opening chorus is revived as the tune is traded liltingly between the two voices. The mood darkens somewhat for the bass accompanied recitative and aria. Here the sadness of the Ascension story becomes apparent. The text for the bass aria is full of the most interesting and potent iconography. The music has a powerful updraft to it matching the image of the pinions. The work ends with a sober harmonization of the chorale "Ich dank dir, lieber Herre."

©Craig Smith