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.

Audio samples: Opella Musica, camerata lipsiensis, cond. Gregor Meyer (cpo, 2019)