Bach: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1

Description

• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
• Instrumentation (this edition): Piano Reduction, SATB Choir
• Originally for: SATB Choir, Chamber Orchestra
• Work: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (Cantata for the Feast of Annunciation Day), BWV 1
• Binding: Perfect
• Work Languages: English, German
• ISMN: 9790006536146
• Size: 7.5 x 10.6 inches
• Pages: 37
• Urtext / Critical Edition

Description

The cantata “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” BWV 1 was written for 25 March 1725, when the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary coincided with Palm Sunday. It forms the conclusion of Bach’s cantata cycle of 1724/25.

The anonymous librettist retained the outer verses 1 and 7 of Philipp Nicolai’s text (1599) which is assigned to the feast of Epiphany according to old tradition but was also sung at the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary. Verses 2 to 6 form the basis for the tenor and bass recitatives and the soprano and tenor arias.

Bach’s composition has a particularly festive brilliance with his use of 2 horns, 2 oboes da caccia and the two concertante solo violins. The violins’ lively figurations clearly reflect an image of the shining morning star.