Thomas Braatz wrote (June 22, 2003):
The Autograph Score and the Original Set of Parts:
This cantata belongs to the 4th yearly cycle that W. F. Bach inherited and most of which has been lost. This score along with all the original parts was lost as well. In 1756, Christian Friedrich Penzel copied the score and most of the parts (most likely from the original score and parts.)
The Origin of the Cantata:
Since both the original score and set of parts are lost, it was impossible to use the critical evidence that these sources usually provide. Based on the text printed by Picander [Cantaten | Auf die Sonn- | und | Fest-Tage | durch | das gantze Jahr | verfertiget | durch | Picandern. | Leipzig, 1728] which was designated for the church year 1728/29, the cantata probably was not composed before 1728.
The autograph score for BWV 201 contains 14 ms. of a sketch for a Michaelmas cantata. Where the choir begins singing the first word “Man,” Bach breaks off at this point, but the question remains: Was this the beginning of an original cantata called “Man singet mit Freuden vom Sieg?” Did Bach abandon this original beginning and turn to the final mvt. of the Hunting Cantata (BWV 208) because he was running out of time for composing an original cantata for this feast day?
The Text:
See Francis Browne commentary at the bottom of his English translation: Cantata BWV 149 - English Translation |