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Johann Sebastian Bach

Schleicht, spielende Wellen, BWV 206

(Glide, O sparkling waves and murmur softly), BWV 206, is a secular cantata composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig and first performed on 7 October

History and text#

Bach composed this cantata for the birthday of Augustus III of Poland and Elector of Saxony. It was first performed in Leipzig, Saxony, on 7 October 1736. A second performance took place on 3 August 1740. The librettist of the work is unknown, but was likely Picander.

Scoring and structure#

The cantata features four solo vocal parts, representing rivers: (soprano), (alto), (tenor), and (bass). The cantata is also scored for four-part choir, three flutes, two oboes, two oboes d’amore, three trumpets, timpani, 1st and 2nd violins, violas, and basso continuo. It has eleven movements: #Chorus: #Recitative (bass): #Aria (bass): #Recitative (tenor): #Aria (tenor): #Recitative (alto): #Aria (alto): #Recitative (soprano): #Aria (soprano): #Recitative (SATB): #Chorus:

Recordings#

  • Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman. J.S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 5. Erato, 1996.
  • Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Helmuth Rilling. Edition Bachakademie Vol. 64. Hänssler, 1994.
  • Kammerchor Stuttgart / Concerto Köln, Frieder Bernius. J.S. Bach Secular Cantatas BWV 206 & 207a. Sony Classical, 1990.
  • Ex Tempore Choir, Florian Heyerick / Musica Antiqua Köln, Reinhard Goebel BWV 36c, 201, 206, 207, Quodlibet BWV 524. Archiv Produktion 457 348-2, 1996 & 1997.
  • Schleicht, spielende Wellen, BWV 206: performance by the Netherlands Bach Society (video and background information)
  • BWV 206 – “Schleicht, spielende Wellen” English translation, Emmanuel Music
  • Schleicht, spielende Wellen history, scoring, Bach website
  • BWV 206 Schleicht, spielende Wellen English translation, University of Vermont
Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach