Lobet, ihr Himmel, den Herrn
Cantata for Ascension Day – Urtext
[solos,mix ch,orch] duration: 15′ solos: STB – Chor: SATB – 0.2.0.0 – 0.2.0.0 – timp – str – bc
vocal text: ドイツ語Description
The cantata Lobet, ihr Himmel, den Herrn was written for Ascension Day. A specific date of composition has not survived, but due to the more modern scoring of the strings with only one viola and the four-part vocal writing, it can be assumed that it is a comparatively late composition by Kuhnau. It is also the only surviving cantata with an internal sinfonia and has clear oratorio-like characteristics. This seems to be a kind of “Ascension Oratorio” by Johann Kuhnau, which has some parallels to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Ascension Oratorio BWV 11. It could even indicate a Leipzig performance tradition similar to that of the Magnificat (PB/OB 32108).
After a festive hymn of praise at the beginning, a short dramatic action begins: The tenor soloist acts as the evangelist and a choral movement describes the “Ascension” accompanied by timpani and trumpets. This is followed by the much longer section of the interpretation, in which the bass soloist as a kind of “believing soul” and the choir as the congregation encourage each other to take up the fight against the enemies. This is depicted in the aforementioned victoriously festive sinfonia, whereupon the “believing soul”, supported by an internalized soprano aria, can now also ascend to heaven. The finale is formed by the chorale “Ach! Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein”, which brings the scene to a redemptive conclusion.
PB 5764
score
EAN: 9790004217269
52 pages / 25 x 32 cm / 245 g / stapled
PB 5764D
score
EAN: 9790004822708
53 pages / 25 x 32 cm / digital edition
EB 9499
piano vocal score
EAN: 9790004189795
32 pages / 19 x 27 cm / 111 g / stapled
OB 5764-11
organ
EAN: 9790004351536
12 pages / 25 x 32 cm / 69 g / stapled
OB 5764-15
violin 1
EAN: 9790004351543
4 pages / 25 x 32 cm / 37 g / stapled
OB 5764-16
violin 2
EAN: 9790004351550
4 pages / 25 x 32 cm / 38 g / stapled
OB 5764-19
viola
EAN: 9790004351567
4 pages / 25 x 32 cm / 39 g / stapled
OB 5764-26
basso (cello/double bass)
EAN: 9790004351574
8 pages / 25 x 32 cm / 49 g / stapled
OB 5764-30
wind parts
EAN: 9790004351581
20 pages / 25 x 32 cm / 109 g / folder
Description
Description
The cantata Lobet, ihr Himmel, den Herrn was written for Ascension Day. A specific date of composition has not survived, but due to the more modern scoring of the strings with only one viola and the four-part vocal writing, it can be assumed that it is a comparatively late composition by Kuhnau. It is also the only surviving cantata with an internal sinfonia and has clear oratorio-like characteristics. This seems to be a kind of “Ascension Oratorio” by Johann Kuhnau, which has some parallels to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Ascension Oratorio BWV 11. It could even indicate a Leipzig performance tradition similar to that of the Magnificat (PB/OB 32108).
After a festive hymn of praise at the beginning, a short dramatic action begins: The tenor soloist acts as the evangelist and a choral movement describes the “Ascension” accompanied by timpani and trumpets. This is followed by the much longer section of the interpretation, in which the bass soloist as a kind of “believing soul” and the choir as the congregation encourage each other to take up the fight against the enemies. This is depicted in the aforementioned victoriously festive sinfonia, whereupon the “believing soul”, supported by an internalized soprano aria, can now also ascend to heaven. The finale is formed by the chorale “Ach! Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein”, which brings the scene to a redemptive conclusion.
Reviews and Testimonials
„Mit elf Sätzen und ausschweifender Klangmalerei nimmt die Himmelfahrtskantate nicht nur oratorische Züge an, sondern ähnelt in vielerlei Hinsicht dem Himmelfahrtsoratorium (BWV 11) Johann Sebastian Bachs. Von den drei besprochenen Kantaten weist sie den diffizilsten Chorpart auf, der deutlich in Richtung des Amtsnachfolgers weist und sich an vielen Stellen sogar in der Motivik vergleichen lässt. […] Mit Breitkopf erfährt der Komponist das Glück einer ausgezeichneten Neuausgabe […].“
Johannes M. Schröder, Kirchenmusik im Bistum Limburg
„Die […] wissenschaftlich-kritische Gesamtausgabe wird im Verlag Breitkopf & Härtel in den nächsten Jahren sukzessive vervollständigt und von David Erler, dem Countertenor des Ensembles [„opella musica“], mit großem Engagement akribisch und mit ausführlichen Hintergrundinformationen erstellt.“
Ulrich Barthel, Chorzeit
Discography
Audio samples: Opella Musica, camerata lipsiensis, cond. Gregor Meyer (cpo, 2019)