Cantata BWV 47
Wer sich selbst erhöhet, der soll erniedriget werden
Discussions - Part 3

Continue from Part 2

Discussions in the Week of April 22, 2012 (3^rd round)

Ed Myskowski wrote (April 22, 2012):
Introduction to BWV 47 -- Wer sich selbst erhöhet, der soll erniedriget werden

Weekly reminder:

This week we continue Trinity season cantatas with BWV 47, the last of three works for the 17^th Sunday after Trinity. Details of text, commentary, recordings, and previous discussion for this week are accessible via: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV47.htm

The link to commentary by Julian [Mincham], music examples included, is especially recommended as an introduction to listening.

Note the concert report (Discussions 2) from Therese Hanquet, including this detail:
<It was a beautiful selection of works [BWV 47 and 138], which our artistic director had most probably chosen on basis of their common chorale
("Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz").>

The BWV 47 page has convenient access to notes from the Gardiner, Koopman (notes by Christoph Wolff), Suzuki, and Leusink (and more!) CD issues, via link beneath the cover photo.

There are two recordings which have not previously had specific comments, both of particular (and diametrically opposed) interest. The Kuijken OVPP releases are reliable and consistent (perhaps to a fault?), while the Ristenpart radio broadcasts from the 1950s have only recently been made available. Opinions on the technical and esthetic quality of the Ristenpart collection is especially welcome.

The chorale text and melody are accessible via links at the BWV 47 page. Francis Browne has recently added new commentary on the cantata texts to his interlinear translations, linked via [English 3]. We can expect these to continue, not necessarily weekly. Douglas Cowling and William L. Hoffman are also posting relevant to chorales and other music for the Lutheran Church Year, accessible via LCY pages.

I do not always take the time to check all links before posting. Special thanks to the folks who provide timely corrections.

Julian Mincham wrote (April 22, 2012):
[To Ed Myskowski] BWV 47-----An excellent and underperformed work---the opening chorus especially. I urge those who do not know it to take this opportunity to become familiar with it.

On another topic Wolff's new book The Organs of JS Bach--a Handbook is due for release at the end of this month. It may resolve some of the issues which have been discussed on this list. A review of it on this list would be of interest.

Charles Franciswrote (April 22, 2012):
BWV 47 – Gerlinde Sämann

There's a video performance of an aria from BWV 47 with the soprano Gerlinde Sämann - nicely sung for the most part, although with excessive vibrato in parts for my taste: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKNHiSBO73w

I only discovered today that she is blind; a disability obscured by her use of written music and page turning: http://www.gerlinde-saemann.de/Gerlinde_Saemann/Willkommen%21.html

Douglas Cowling wrote (April 22, 2012):
Julian Mincham wrote:
< On another topic Wolff's new book The Organs of JS Bach--a Handbook is due for release at the end of this month. It may resolve some of the issues which have been discussed on this list. A review of it on this list would be of interest. >
Do we know if he's just focusing on the physical specifications of the instruments or is picking up from Dreyfus on performance practice in the vocal works?

Ed Myskowski wrote (April 23, 2012):
Julian Mincham wrote:
< On another topic Wolff's new book The Organs of JS Bach--a Handbook is due for release at the end of this month. It may resolve some of the issues which have been discussed on this list. A review of it on this list would be of interest. >
Perhaps we can induce both Julian and Doug Cowling to post reviews independently? I look forward to the publication, and ensuing discussion, in any case.

The possible (likely?) conclusion of OVPP (or 2VPP) choir, with church organ continuo, has yet to be recorded, as best I can determine.

Julian Mincham wrote (April 23, 2012):
[To Ed Myskowski] I'd like to find out a bit more about what the book is about before I commit to buying it. Often it's worth waiting for a cheaper paperback version which usually follows.

This can make a bit difference in the cost. When the English version of Dürr first came out it cost around 170 pounds sterling. The later paperback version was around £35 from Amazon, a hell of a difference.

Kim Patrick Clow wrote (April 23, 2012):
[To Julian Mincham] This book is 28.00 USD. Pretty affordable. Get two copies ;)

Julian Mincham wrote (April 23, 2012):
[To Kim Patrick Clow] Why not half a dozen?

Kim Patrick Clow wrote (April 23, 2012):
[To Julian Mincham] There you go, that's the Bach team spirit! They make great gifts for friends, and family et al.

But you're welcome anyway wink

Continue on Part 4

Cantata BWV 47: Wer sichselbst erhöhet, der soll erniedriget werden for 17^th Sunday after Trinity (1726)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4