Bach’s “Gott ist mein König” BWV 71 (text at bottom of this page)
and the prelude to Claudio Monteverdi’s 1607 L’Orfeo:
Or, if you like, listen to some of Handel's gorgeous homage to Saint Cecilia
“The dead shall live, the living die”.
(Be patient, the opening dialogue really sets the stage for the music,
which begins at 0:40.
And watch that soprano!)
This is just a very brief web page that loads quickly.
Then you can select which web page you actually desire from the archive.
Each month contains one period or subject of music,
as shown in the table below;
to see its contents, click the little triangle to its left.
Then click on any composer or topic that is of interest.
| Month | Period | Time Span |
|---|---|---|
| July | Post-1900 | 1900– |
| June | Romantic | 1815–1910 |
| May | Classical | 1730–1820 |
| April | Baroque | 1600–1760 |
| March | Renaissance | 1400–1600 |
| February | Medieval | 500–1400 |
| January | Miscellaneous |
| @Wikipedia; @bach-cantatas.com; @IMSLP; Vocal and Piano Score (PDF); view playlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Movement | German Text - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | English Text - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | Key | Scoring | Mühlhausen | Rilling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Chorus: Gott ist mein König (Psalm 74:12) | Gott ist mein König von altersher, der alle Hilfe tut, so auf Erden geschicht. | God is my Sovereign since ancient days, who all salvation brings which on earth may be found. | C major | 1. Coro [Tutti] Tromba I-III, Tamburi, Flauto I/II, Violoncello, Oboe I/II, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Violone, Organo SATB I (solo) + instr II; SATB II (rip) + instr I–IV | 1: 0:00 | 0:00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Aria: Ich bin nun achtzig Jahr (2 Samuel 19:35,37) | Ich bin nun achtzig Jahr, warum soll dein Knecht sich mehr beschweren? Soll ich auf dieser Welt Mein Leben höher bringen, Durch manchen sauren Tritt Hindurch ins Alter dringen, Ich will umkehren, dass ich sterbe in meiner Stadt, So gib Geduld, für Sünd Und Schanden mich bewahr, Auf dass ich tragen mag bei meines Vaters und meiner Mutter Grab. Mit Ehren graues Haar. | I have lived eighty years, wherefore shall thy thrall still more complain, then? If I should in this world My life extend yet longer, Through countless bitter steps Into old age advancing, I would return now, that I die within my own town, Help me forbear, from sin And scandal me defend, So that I may wear well beside my father's and my own mother's grave. With honor my gray hair. | E minor | 2. Aria [Air] T S con Corale in Canto Organo T and S (solo) + organ (with chorale solo part) | 1: 1:38 | 1:48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Fugue: Dein Alter sei wie deine Jugend (Deuteronomy 33:25, Genesis 21:22) | Dein Alter sei wie deine Jugend, und Gott ist mit dir in allem das du tust. | Thine old age be like to thy childhood, and God is with thee in ev'ry deed thou dost. | A minor | 3. Coro [Fuga] Organo SATB I (solo) + organ | 1: 5:29 | 5:58 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. Arioso: Tag und Nacht (Psalm 74:16-17) | Tag und Nacht ist dein. Du machest, dass beide, Sonn und Gestirn, ihren gewissen Lauf haben. Du setzest einem jeglichen Lande seine Grenze. | Day and night are thine. Thou makest them both, the sun and the stars, their own appointed course follow. You set any one country's border. | F major | 4. Arioso B Flauto I/II, Violoncello, Oboe I/II, Fagotto, Organo B (solo) + instr III–IV, organ | 1: 7:37 | 8:05 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5. Aria: Durch mächtige Kraft | Durch mächtige Kraft Erhältst du unsre Grenzen, Hier muss der Friede glänzen, Wenn Mord und Kriegessturm Sich allerort erhebt. Wenn Kron und Zepter bebt, Hast du das Heil geschafft Durch mächtige Kraft! | With powerful might Dost thou preserve our borders, Here shall then peace be radiant, Though death and raging war May all around appear. Though crown and scepter shake, Hast thou salvation brought With powerful might! | C major | 5. Aria [Air] A Tromba I-III, Tamburi, Organo A (solo) + instr I, organ | 2: 0:00 | 10:34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6. Chorus: Du wollst dem Feinde (Psalm 74:19) | Du wollest dem Feinde nicht geben die Seele deiner Turteltauben. | May'st thou to the foe not deliver thy turtledoves' own very spirits. | C minor | 6. Coro Flauto I/II, Violoncello, Oboe I/II, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Violone, Organo SATB II (rip) + instr II–IV, organ | 2: 1:10 | 11:48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7. Arioso: Das neue Regiment | Das neue Regiment Auf jeglichen Wegen Bekröne mit Segen! Friede, Ruh und Wohlergehen, Müsse stets zur Seite stehen Dem neuen Regiment. Glück, Heil und großer Sieg Muss täglich von neuen Dich, Joseph, erfreuen, Dass an allen Ort und Landen Ganz beständig sei vorhanden Glück, Heil und großer Sieg! | This our new government In ev'ry endeavor Here crown with thy blessing! Concord, peace and prosp'rous fortune Must alway be in attendance On our new government Joy, health, great victory Must each day continue O Joseph, to please thee, That in ev'ry clime and country Ever steadfast may attend thee Joy, health, great victory! | C major | 7. Coro [Tutti] Tromba I-III, Tamburi, Flauto I/II, Violoncello, Oboe I/II, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Violone, Organo SATB I (solo) + div instr; SATB II (rip) + instr I–IV | 2: 4:05 (Das) 2: 5:14 (Glück) | 14:35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
