BWV 1

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

How beautiful the morning star shines

Cantata Complete

About this Work


Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata BWV 1, entitled Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern ("How beautifully shines the morning star"), is a choral cantata (Choralkantate) belonging to the second annual cycle (Jahrgang) of cantatas that Bach composed in Leipzig.

It was composed in 1725 and premiered on 25 March 1725 in Leipzig for the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord (Annunciation to the Virgin Mary), which is celebrated on 25 March. This day was an exception during Lent, as figural music was not normally allowed in Leipzig during this period, but it was allowed for the Annunciation.

The work is based on Philipp Nicolai's hymn Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, published in 1599. This seven-stanza hymn is one of the most famous in the Lutheran tradition, and its melody was also composed by Nicolai (or at least published by him in 1599).
Bach used stanzas 1, 6 and 7 literally (as the opening and closing chorales), while the intermediate stanzas were paraphrased by an unknown librettist (probably the same one who prepared other texts for the second cycle) to adapt them to the context of the Annunciation, with references to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and the love of Christ.

The cantata consists of six movements:

  1. Chorus – Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (stanza 1 of the hymn, complete choral treatment with cantus firmus).
  2. Recitative (tenor).
  3. Aria (soprano).
  4. Recitative (bass).
  5. Aria (tenor).
  6. Choral – Wie bin ich doch so herzlich froh (verse 7 of the hymn, harmonised for four voices).

It is typical of the choral cantata format of the second Leipzig cycle: it begins and ends with the chorale, and the central movements are poetically paraphrased.

The instrumentation is relatively rich for a Bach cantata and has a festive character:

  • 2 horns – which add brilliance and solemnity.
  • 2 oboes da caccia.
  • 2 violins.
  • Viola.
  • Basso continuo (including cello, bassoon, organ, etc.).
  • Four-part choir (SATB).
  • Soloists: soprano, tenor and bass.

The oboes da caccia and horns contribute to a bright, pastoral colour, in keeping with the image of the 'morning star' and the joyful character of the Annunciation.

Movements

6 movements

Instrumentation
Horn Oboe da caccia Soprano Choir Viola Bass Tenor Violin Basso Continuo
Text
Original (German)
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Voll Gnad und Wahrheit von dem Herrn,
Die süße Wurzel Jesse!
Du Sohn Davids aus Jakobs Stamm,
Mein König und mein Bräutigam,
Hast mir mein Herz besessen,
Lieblich,
Freundlich,
Schön und herrlich, groß und ehrlich, reich von Gaben,
Hoch und sehr prächtig erhaben.
Translation
How beautifully shines the morning star,
Full of grace and truth from the Lord,
The sweet root of Jesse!
You, Son of David from the tribe of Jacob,
My King and my Bridegroom,
Have possessed my heart,
Lovely,
Friendly,
Beautiful and glorious, great and honest, rich in gifts,
High and very magnificently exalted.

Instrumentation
Tenor Basso Continuo
Text
Original (German)
Du wahrer Gottes und Marien Sohn,
Du König derer Auserwählten,
Wie süß ist uns dies Lebenswort,
Nach dem die ersten Väter schon
So Jahr' als Tage zählten,
Das Gabriel mit Freuden dort
In Bethlehem verheißen!
O Süßigkeit, o Himmelsbrot,
Das weder Grab, Gefahr, noch Tod
Aus unsern Herzen reißen.
Translation
You true Son of God and Mary,
You King of the chosen ones,
How sweet to us are these words of life,
For which the first fathers already
Counted years as days,
Which Gabriel joyfully promised there
In Bethlehem!
O sweetness, O bread of heaven,
Which neither grave, danger, nor death
Can tear from our hearts.

Instrumentation
Oboe da caccia Soprano Basso Continuo
Text
Original (German)
Erfüllet, ihr himmlischen göttlichen Flammen,
Die nach euch verlangende gläubige Brust!
Die Seelen empfinden die kräftigsten Triebe
Der brünstigsten Liebe
Und schmecken auf Erden die himmlische Lust.
Translation
Fulfill, heavenly divine flames,
The faithful breast that longs for you!
The souls feel the strongest urges
Of the most ardent love
And taste heavenly pleasure on earth.

Instrumentation
Bass Basso Continuo
Text
Original (German)
Ein irdscher Glanz, ein leiblich Licht
Rührt meine Seele nicht;
Ein Freudenschein ist mir von Gott entstanden,
Denn ein vollkommnes Gut,
Des Heilands Leib und Blut,
Ist zur Erquickung da.
So muss uns ja
Der überreiche Segen,
Der uns von Ewigkeit bestimmt
Und unser Glaube zu sich nimmt,
Zum Dank und Preis bewegen.
Translation
An earthly splendour, a physical light,
Does not stir my soul;
A joyful light has arisen for me from God,
For a perfect good,
The Saviour's body and blood,
Is there for refreshment.
So surely
The abundant blessing,
Which has been destined for us from eternity
And which our faith takes to itself,
Must move us to thanksgiving and praise.

Instrumentation
Viola Violin Tenor Basso Continuo
Text
Original (German)
Unser Mund und Ton der Saiten
Sollen dir
Für und für
Dank und Opfer zubereiten.
Herz und Sinnen sind erhoben,
Lebenslang
Mit Gesang,
Großer König, dich zu loben.
Translation
Our mouths and the sound of the strings
Shall prepare for you
Little by little
Thanksgiving and sacrifice.
Our hearts and minds are lifted up,
Throughout our lives
With song,
Great King, to praise you.

Instrumentation
Bass Horn Soprano Choir Viola Violin Tenor Oboe da caccia Basso Continuo
Text
Original (German)
Wie bin ich doch so herzlich froh,
Dass mein Schatz ist das A und O,
Der Anfang und das Ende;
Er wird mich doch zu seinem Preis
Aufnehmen in das Paradeis,
Des klopf ich in die Hände.
Amen!
Amen!
Komm, du schöne Freudenkrone, bleib nicht lange,
Deiner wart ich mit Verlangen.
Translation
How glad I am,
That my treasure is the be-all and end-all,
The beginning and the end;
He will take me to his glory
And welcome me into paradise,
I clap my hands in joy.
Amen!
Amen!
Come, you beautiful crown of joy, do not stay long,
I await you with longing.

Recordings

Listen on IDAGIO Sir John Eliot Gardiner · English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music

Information

Year 1725
Place Leipzig
Duration 25 minutes
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