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Johann Sebastian Bach

Schwingt freudig euch empor, BWV 36c

(Soar joyfully aloft), BWV 36.1 (formerly BWV 36c), is a secular cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig, most likely in 1725. There is evidence that the cantata was performed in

History and text#

Bach wrote several works for celebrations of the Leipzig University, Festmusiken zu Leipziger Universitätsfeiern. This cantata was originally probably composed as a homage to one of the composer’s academic colleagues, but it is not known which. ** () * Sacred cantata , in two versions: ** BWV 36.4 () ** BWV 36.5 (2 December 1731) The libretto is likely by Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), who published the version of the text in 1727, as a cantata for the birthday of the duchess of Anhalt-Köthen, which fell on 30 November. The duchess’s birthday cantata was set by Bach (in 1726 or earlier), but the music is lost.

Scoring and structure#

The cantata is scored for three soloists—soprano, tenor and bass—a four-part choir, two oboes d’amore, two violins, viola, viola d’amore and basso continuo. #Coro: #Recitative (tenor): #Aria (tenor): #Recitative (bass): #Aria (bass): #Recitative (soprano): #Aria (soprano): #Recitative (tenor): #Chorus & Recitatives (soprano, tenor, bass):

Music#

The opening chorus is a “jolly” gavotte form, highlighting the oboe d’amore (which is also important in introducing the third movement).

Recordings#

  • Bach made in Germany Vol. VII – Secular Cantatas I, Peter Schreier, Berliner Solisten, Kammerorchester Berlin, Edith Mathis, Peter Schreier, Siegfried Lorenz, Eterna
  • Edition Bachakademie Vol. 139 – Congratulatory and Hommage Cantatas, Helmuth Rilling, Gächinger Kantorei, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Eva Oltiványi, Marcus Ullmann, Andreas Schmidt, Hänssler
  • J.S. Bach: Kantate Nr. 36c, Kurt Thomas, Thomanerchor, Gewandhausorchester, Adele Stolte, Hans-Joachim Rotzsch, Theo Adam, Eterna
  • J.S. Bach: Weltliche Kantaten · Secular Cantatas · Cantates Profanes, Reinhard Goebel, Ex Tempore, Musica Antiqua Köln, Dorothea Röschmann, Axel Köhler, Christoph Genz, Hans-Georg Wimmer. Archiv Produktion
  • J.S. Bach: Secular Cantatas Vol. 3, Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan, Joanne Lunn, Hiroya Aoki, Makoto Sakurada, Roderick Williams, BIS 2013
  • Cantata BWV 36c Schwingt freudig euch empor history, scoring, sources for text and music, translations to various languages, discography, discussion, Bach Cantatas Website
  • Schwingt freudig euch empor history, scoring, Bach website
  • BWV 36c Schwingt freudig euch empor English translation, University of Vermont
  • BWV 36c Schwingt freudig euch empor text, scoring, University of Alberta
Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach