Non sa che sia dolore, BWV 209
Non sa che sia dolore (He knows not what sorrow is), BWV 209, is a secular cantata composed by Johann Sebastian Bach and first performed in Leipzig in spring 1729.[1]
History and text
Bach likely composed this cantata as a farewell for Johann Matthias Gesner. The librettist for the work is unknown.[1]
Scoring and structure
The piece is scored for solo soprano voice, flauto traverso, two violins, viola, and basso continuo.[1]
The cantata has five movements:
- Sinfonia
- Recitative: Non sa che sia dolore
- Aria: Parti pur e con dolore
- Recitative: Tuo saver al tempo e l'età contrasta
- Aria: Ricetti gramezza e pavento
Music
Bach may have derived the opening sinfonia in B minor from a previous concerto. It includes a prominent "baroque 'weeping' figure". The first recitative uses tonality to underline the meaning of the "quasi-philosophical" text. The following da capo aria is in E minor and features a flute obbligato. The second recitative is short and secco, contrasting sharply with the final "ebulliently major" da capo aria.[2]
Recordings
- Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Neville Marriner. Bach Cantatas. EMI, 1973.
- Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ton Koopman. J.S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 4. Erato, 1996.
- The Bach Ensemble, Joshua Rifkin. J.S. Bach: Weichet nur betrübte Shatten "Hochzeitskantate". Decca, 1989.
- Cologne Soloists Ensemble, Helmut Müller-Brühl. Maria Stader singt Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach. Pelca, 1965.
- Orchestra of the Bach Guild, Anton Heiller. J.S. Bach: Cantata Nr. 51; Cantata Nr. 209. Amadeo, 1952.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Cantata BWV 209 Non sa che sia dolore". Bach Cantatas. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
- ↑ Mincham, Julian. "Chapter 101 BWV 209". jsbachcantatas. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
External links
- Cantatas, BWV 201–210: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- BWV 209 – "Non sa che sia dolore": English translation, Emmanuel Music
- Non sa che sia dolore: history, scoring, Bach website (German)
- BWV 209 Non sa che sia dolore: English translation, University of Vermont
- BWV 209 Non sa che sia dolore: text, scoring, University of Alberta (German)
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