Bekennen will ich seinen Namen (I shall acknowledge His name), BWV 200, is an arrangement by Johann Sebastian Bach of an aria from Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel's passion-oratorio Die leidende und am Creuz sterbende Liebe Jesu. He scored it for alto, two violins and continuo, possibly as part of a cantata for the feast of Purification. He probably led the first performance around 1742.

History and text

Bach arranged in Bekennen will ich seinen Namen an aria, "Dein Kreuz, o Bräutgam meiner Seelen" (Your cross, o bridegroom of my soul" from Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel's passion-oratorio Die leidende und am Creuz sterbende Liebe Jesu.[1][2] Bach's arrangement, dated around 1742–43,[3] was possibly part of a cantata for the Marian feast of Purification.[4][5] The prescribed readings for the day were Malachi 3:1–4, and Luke 2:22–32.[6]

Bach likely performed his arrangement in 1742 in Leipzig.[6]

Music

The aria is scored for solo alto voice, two violins, and basso continuo.[7] As with many of Bach's latest cantatas, the aria has a "quality of mellow assurance". It is in adapted ternary form but includes no clear reprise of the opening section. The vocal line includes melismas but no other word painting.[8]

Recordings

References

  1. ^ Bach Digital Work 00250 at www.bachdigital.de
  2. ^ Wollny 2008.
  3. ^ D-B N. Mus. ms. 307 at www.bachdigital.de
  4. ^ BWV2a 1998, p. 202
  5. ^ Booklet notes to Hänssler CD 98.858.
  6. ^ a b "Cantata BWV 200 Bekennen will ich seinen Namen". Bach Cantatas. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  7. ^ "BWV 200". University of Alberta. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  8. ^ Mincham, Julian. "Chapter 55 BWV 50, BWV 200, BWV 1045". jsbachcantatas. Retrieved 9 September 2022.

Sources

External links


Compositions spuriously attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach
Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach
Cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach by BWV number
Authority control databases
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