Bach digital -

Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685–1750)

Frohes Volk, vergnügte Sachsen

BWV 1158; BWV Anh. 12; BWV Anh. I 12; BC [G 17]

Saxe-Poland

Genre

Secular cantata

Scoring

unbekannt

Date of origin, Work history

vor dem 03. August 1733

First performance on August 3, 1733, in Leipzig for the name day of the Saxon Elector Friedrich August II (King August III of Poland): Das allhier in Zimmermannischen Garten zur Sommers-Zeit florirende Bachische Collegium Musicum wird den 3. Aug. a. c. Ihro Königl. Hoheit des Churfürstens zu Sachsen hohen Nahmens-Tag, mit einer solennen Music durch ein Concert von 4. bis 7. Uhr Nachmittage unterthänigst celebriren | The Bach Collegium Musicum, flourishing here in Zimmermann’s Garden during the summertime, will dutifully celebrate a solemn concert from 4 to 7 in the afternoon on His Royal Highness the Elector of Saxony’s high name day. (Leipziger Zeitungen, Beilage July 31, 1733; see Dok. II Nr. 334). Bach’s authorship is confirmed in the cash book of the Breitkopf publishing house dated August 2, 1733: Hn. Capell. Meister Bach ein Drama gedruckt, 1 Bogen, 50 R Pr 150 Dr Pr nebst Censur […] | Mr. Capell. Master Bach printed a drama, 1 sheet, 50 R Pr 150 Dr Pr along with Censur [...] (see Dok. II Nr. 333, also Nr. 336; no copy preserved). The music is lost; except for the recitatives, likely a parody after BWV 1162.
Sequence of movements (according to the text print by Picander in 1737) and parody relationships:
1. Aria: Frohes Volck, vergnügte Sachsen, see BWV 1162/1 and BWV 11/1
2. [Recit.]: Beglücktes Land, was geht dir ab?
3. Aria: Holder, angenehmer Schein!, see BWV 1162/3
4. [Recit.]: Durchlauchtigster August, du selbst vergnüg auch Dich
5. Tutti: Wie ruhig, wie sicher ist unser Gedeyen, see BWV 1162/5
6. [Recit.]: Herr, unsrer Nachbarn Neid
7. Aria: Schön und herrlich sprost die Raute, see BWV 1162/6
8. [Recit.]: Beglücktes Land, gepriesne Zeit!
9. Aria: Labe dich, du fromme Schaar, see BWV 1162/8
10. [Recit.]: Der HErr, der Fürsten nimmt und giebt
11. Tutti: Grosser Erhalter, der alles erschafft, see BWV 1162/10

Early performances

1733-03-08, Leipzig, Kaffeehaus Gottfried Zimmermanns (Collegium Musicum) (Premiere) (Link to event)

Comment

The music is lost, presumably movement one can be found in BWV 11/1 (Ascension oratory); BWV Anh. 12 was model for BWV Anh. 18 which was model for BWV 11.

Libretto

C. F. Henrici. Text print: Picander 1737, page 14 (CANTATA | Auf das Nahmens-Fest Seiner Kö- | nigl. Hoheit, des Durchlauchtigsten Chur- | fürsten zu Sachsen etc. etc. | den 3. Aug. 1733. [CANTATA | For the Name Day of His Royal Highness, the Most Serene Elector of Saxony etc. etc. | on August 3, 1733.])

Link to lyrics