Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn
Cantata for Easter
Chorus: Sop. 1, sop. 2, alto, tenor, bass
Soloists: Sop. 1, sop. 2, alto, tenor, bass
Orchestra: 2 trumpets, timpani (ad libitum), violins 1 & 2,
violas 1 & 2, cello, bass, continuo (organ, others ad libitum)
***
Sinfonia / Fanfare
Chorus: Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn
Verse 1: Nun liegt Höll und Tod
Chorus: Victoria
Verse 2: Teufel höre
Chorus: Victoria
Verse 3: Also muss es allen Feinden
Chorus: Victoria
Verse 4: Jesu, Jesu, hochbesungen
Chorus: Victoria
Verse 5: Steur' auch, steur' den grossen Drachen
Chorus: Victoria
Chorus: Alleluja
Program Notes by Martin Pearlman
The brilliant Easter cantata Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn is one of more than a hundred vocal works of Buxtehude that have come down to us, including cantatas, motets, and other works. His output also included large-scale oratorios which have sadly been lost. Nonetheless, he was best known in his day -- and in ours -- as a great organist, and his music is still standard repertoire for that instrument.
Dieterich Buxtehude considered his birthplace to be Denmark (a point debated by some historians) but he spent most of his professional life in the north German free city of Lübeck, where he was organist of St. Mary's Church. There his work as a keyboard player and as director of the famous Abendmusik concert series made him a major influence on the German music of his day, as well as that of the next generation.
In 1703, the young Handel came from Hamburg with his colleague Mattheson to see and hear Buxtehude. They were both considered possible successors to the aging organist, but there was a catch to the offer. Following tradition, Buxtehude had married the daughter of his predecessor, and he expected his successor to marry his own eldest daughter. According to Mattheson, "It turned out that there was some marriage condition proposed in connection with the appointment, for which we neither of us felt the smallest inclination, so we said goodbye to the place after having enjoyed ourselves immensely. . ."
Two years later, in 1705, Bach walked 250 miles to Lübeck to hear Buxtehude play the organ and to attend his Abendmusik concerts, where he doubtless would have heard Buxtehude's oratorios and other choral works. He got in considerable trouble for overstaying his leave, but it was not without good cause, for Buxtehude's influence on the young Bach was enormous.
Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn, being a celebratory Easter piece, includes the bright sound of two trumpets, as well as timpani (ad libitum by tradition, since no timpani music is written into the score), along with two violins, two violas and continuo instruments. The chorus is in five voice parts, and there are several choral soloists. Following an instrumental introduction, the choir begins with a setting of a pre-existing Easter hymn. There then follow tuneful verses for soloists alternating with choral sections that proclaim "victoria." The work closes with a grand Alleluja for the full ensemble.
Boston Baroque Performances
Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn
March 4 & 5, 2011
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor