Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 71
Title God is my Sovereign
Composed 4th February 1708, Mühlhausen
Scoring

Choir for 4 voices
Soprano solo
Alto solo
Bass solo
Trumpet I + II + III
Bassdrum
Recorder I + II
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Bassoon
Violoncello
Violone
Basso continuo

Movements Choir: God is my Sovereign
Arie con Corale in Canto (Soprano, Tenor): I have lived eighty years
Choir: Thine old age be like to thy childhood
Arioso (Bass): Day and night are thine
Aria (Alto): With powerful might
Choir: May'st thou to the foe not
Choir: This our new government
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event Inauguration of the New Town Council
Author of text Johann Heermann 1630
Text
Choir:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Trumpet I + II + III
Bassdrum
Recorder I + II
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Bassoon
Violoncello
Violone
Basso continuo

Aria con Corale in Canto: Soprano solo, Tenor solo
Organ obligata









Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Basso continuo

Arioso: Bass solo
Recorder I + II
Oboe I + II
Bassoon
Violoncello
Basso continuo

Arie: Alt solo
Trumpet I + II + III
Bassdrum
Basso continuo




Choir:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Trumpet I + II + III
Bassdrum
Recorder I + II
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Bassoon
Violoncello
Violone
Basso continuo


Choir:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Trumpet I + II + III
Bassdrum
Recorder I + II
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Bassoon
Violoncello
Violone
Basso continuo


God is my Sovereign since ancient days, who all salvation brings which on earth may be found.











Tenor: I have lived eighty years, wherefore shall thy thrall still more complain, then?
Soprano: 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 mine own mother's grave.
With honor my gray hair.

Thine old age be like to thy childhood, and God is with thee in ev'ry deed thou dost.


Day and night are thine. Thou makest them both, the sun and the stars, their own appointed course follow.






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!

May'st thou to the foe not deliver thy turtledoves' own very spirits.











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!

Bibletext Psalms 74:12; Samuel 19:35 and 37; Deuteronomy 33:25 and Genesis 21:22; Psalms 74:16-17; Psalms 74:19
Manuscript Estate C. Ph. E. Bach; University library Warzawa

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