Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How beautifully shines the morning star), BWV 1, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the feast of the Annunciation and first performed it on 25 March 1725.
History and words
Bach wrote the chorale cantata in his second annual cycle for the feast of the Annunciation on 25 March. This feast was celebrated with music even in Leipzig, although it typically falls in the time of Lent when Leipzig observed tempus clausum. Bach first performed it on 25 March 1725, which in that year was also Palm Sunday. The cantata is based on the chorale Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (1599) of Philipp Nicolai, which was associated with Epiphany but also with the Annunciation.[1] The cantata was the last chorale cantata in Bach's second annual cycle, begun the first Sunday after Trinity 1724.
The prescribed readings for the day are Isaiah 7:10–16 and Luke 1:26–38, the Annunciation. The unknown poet of the cantata text kept the first and the last verse, and paraphased the other stanzas to recitatives and arias, using stanza 2 for the first recitativ, stanza 3 for the first aria, stanzas 4 and part of 5 for the second recitativ, stanza 6 for the second aria. The choral, speaking of the longing for the arrival of the Saviour, can be connected to his birth announced to Mary. The theme of arrival was especially fitting for Palm Sunday[2]
The cantata was chosen by the Bach-Gesellschaft to begin their first publication of Bach's complete works in 1851.
Scoring and structure
The cantata is festively scored for soprano, tenor, and bass soloists, a four-part choir, two horns, two oboe da caccia, two violins obbligato, viola and basso continuo.[2] Bach would later use the pair of horns in Part IV of his Christmas Oratorio, dealing with the naming of Jesus as announced to Mary.
- Coro: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
- Recitativo (tenor): Du wahrer Gottes und Marien Sohn
- Aria (soprano,oboe da caccia): Erfüllet, ihr himmlischen göttlichen Flammen
- Recitativo (bass): Ein irdscher Glanz, ein leiblich Licht
- Aria (tenor, violins): Unser Mund und Ton der Saiten
- Chorale: Wie bin ich doch so herzlich froh
Music
The scoring provides a rich orchestration, the sparkle of the morning star is illustrated by two solo violins. The scoring is reminiscent of Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65, for Epiphany.[3] The cantus firmus in the chorale fantasia of the opening chorus is sung by the soprano. The other voices support the melody, sometimes preparing it. The vocal parts are embedded in the independent concerto of the orchestra.
Both recitatives are secco, with a melisma on the words "Freudenschein" (joyful radiance) and "Erquickung" (refreshment). The first aria combines the soprano voice with the oboe da caccia in alto range. Two violins accompany the tenor in the second aria, reminding of the opening chorus.
The closing choral is embellished by an independent part of the second horn, whereas the other instruments double the voices.[2]
Recordings
- J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 1, BWV 19, Fritz Lehmann, Berliner Motettenchor, Berliner Philharmoniker, Gunthild Weber, Helmut Krebs, Hermann Schey, Decca 1952
- Les Grandes Cantates de J.S. Bach Vol. 1, Fritz Werner, Heinrich-Schütz-Chor Heilbronn, Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra, Maria Friesenhausen, Helmut Krebs, Barry McDaniel, Erato 1965
- Bach Cantatas Vol. 2 - Easter, Karl Richter, Münchener Bach-Chor, Münchener Bach-Orchester. Edith Mathis, Ernst Haefliger, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Archiv Produktion 1968
- J.S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk - Sacred Cantatas Vol. 1, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Wiener Sängerknaben & Chorus Viennensis (Chorus Master: Hans Gillesberger), Concentus Musicus Wien, soloist of the Wiener Sängerknaben, Kurt Equiluz, Max van Egmond, Teldec 1970
- Die Bach Kantate Vol. 16, Helmuth Rilling, Gächinger Kantorei, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Inga Nielsen, Adalbert Kraus, Philippe Huttenlocher, Hänssler 1980
- Bach Made in Germany Vol. 4 - Cantatas II, Hans-Joachim Rotzsch, Thomanerchor, Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum, Arleen Augér, Peter Schreier, Siegfried Lorenz, Eterna 1981
- Bach Cantatas Vol. 21: Cambridge/Walpole St Peter, John Eliot Gardiner, Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, Malin Hartelius, James Gilchrist, Peter Harvey, Soli Deo Gloria 2000
- Bach Edition Vol. 18 - Cantatas Vol. 9, Pieter Jan Leusink, Holland Boys Choir, Netherlands Bach Collegium, Marjon Strijk, Knut Schoch, Bas Ramselaar, Brilliant Classics 2000
- J.S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 13, Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Deborah York, Paul Agnew, Klaus Mertens, Antoine Marchand 2000
- J.S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 34 (Cantatas from Leipzig 1725), Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan, Carolyn Sampson, Gerd Türk, Peter Kooy, BIS 2005
- Bach: Cantates Marie de Nazareth, Eric J. Milnes, Montréal Baroque, Monika Mauch, Matthew White, Charles Daniels, Stephan MacLeod, ATMA Classique 2006
- J.S. Bach: Cantatas for the Complete Liturgical Year Vol. 6 (Sexagesima and Estomihi Sundays), Sigiswald Kuijken, La Petite Bande, Siri Thornhill, Petra Noskaiova, Marcus Ullmann, Jan van der Crabben, Accent 2007
- J.S. Bach: Kantate BWV 1 „Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern“, Rudolf Lutz, Vokalensemble der Schola Seconda Pratica, Schola Seconda Pratica, Eva Oltiványi, Makoto Sakurada, Manuel Walser, Gallus Media 2010
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