Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht, BWV 134a
Secular cantata for New Year's Day
First performance: Cöthen, January 1, 1719
Soloists: Alto (Time) and tenor (Divine Providence)
Chorus (S-A-T-B) in last movement
Orchestra: 2 oboes, strings, continuo
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Recitative (alto, tenor)
Aria (tenor)
Recitative (alto, tenor)
Aria (alto, tenor)
Recitative (alto, tenor)
Aria (alto)
Recitative (alto, tenor)
Chorus (alto, tenor, chorus)
Program Notes by Martin Pearlman
The rarely heard secular cantata, Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht (Time that makes the day and the year) is designated as a serenata in its libretto. Written to celebrate New Year's Day of 1719, it was a tribute to Bach's employer at the time, Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen. Two soloists, a tenor representing Time and an alto representing Divine Providence, sing Prince Leopold's praises and promise him continued good fortune in the new year and beyond. A choir joins the two soloists in the dance-like last movement.
Five years later, after Bach had taken up his position in Leipzig, he adapted this secular cantata (or serenata) for use as an Easter cantata, Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß (A heart that knows the living Jesus), BWV 134. In that version, the aria for alto and continuo was omitted, along with the recitative that proceeded it, but otherwise the new sacred text required only a few minor alterations to the music. For later performances of his Easter cantata, Bach made further revisions, including writing new recitatives.
Boston Baroque Performances
Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht, BWV 134a
November 3, 1978
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Jeffrey Gall, countertenor
Karl Dan Sorensen, tenor