Der Himmel lacht! Die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31

Nikolaus Herman, 1575

The sky laughs! The earth jubilieret ( BWV 31) is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Formation

The work was composed for April 21, 1715, the first day of Easter, in Weimar and performed again later in Leipzig in changed form several times. Documents exist for repeat performances in 1724 and 1731; another performance in 1735 is likely.

Topic

The text comes from the "Protestant devotional Opffer " of the Weimar court poet Salomon Franck, which is secured as the author of nine cantata texts of Bach. The verses consist purely of free seal and interpret the event in accordance with, the Easter message, coupled with the invitation to the faithful to Jesus to resurrect in her soul. The final sentence, the last stanza of the death chant " When my last hour is " by Nikolaus Herman, proves to be reference to the resurrection of Christians after his death through Jesus.

Occupation

• Vocal soloists: soprano, tenor, bass,
• Choir: Soprano I / II, Alto, Tenor, Bass
• Orchestra: trumpet I-III, timpani, oboe I-III, waist, violin I / II, Viola I / II, cello I / II, Basso continuo

Special

Although Bach's cantatas, a large cast on high feast days such as Easter was common, the large cast of this cantata with three trumpets and five reed instruments is remarkable - not less than fifteen obbligato voices come across in the performance with.

Right at the beginning of the festive character of the work is demonstrated by a Sonata with fanfare -like introduction. This is followed by the opening chorus in the form of a five-part choral fugue, which receives the jubilant mood and further contributes. It is followed by two recitatives that frame a bass aria; all three sets are accompanied only by the basso continuo, contrasting strongly with the corresponding opening two sets. The following tenor aria is accompanied by a surging string ritornello. In the final aria soprano and solo oboe contrasting with a low-lying Streicherunisono that already anticipates the chorale melody of the final movement.

As in Weimar Chorton the organ, after the strings were tuned, probably a third was higher than the pitch in Leipzig, had Bach for the Leipzig revivals in the woodwind part originally intended votes either omit or rewrite or other than in the can play original cast provided instruments.