Bach Cantata Notes

BWV 52

Bach Cantata BWV 52 uses as its overture,which is clearly supposed to represent the false, glittery world, the first movement of the 1st Brandenburg Concerto. The harsh opening recitative is modified by the fact that it would have been sung by a child. The following aria is more melancholy than the anger of the text would imply. The transition from anger to acceptance is made with the beautiful aria with three oboes, all warmth and magnanimity. The final chorale brings back the brilliance of the two horns to close the work.

©Craig Smith