Breitkopf & Hartel Schmucket das Fest mit Maien (Cantata for Pentecost) - Kuhnau/Erler - SATB

Author/Composer:

KUHNAU, JOHANN

Instrumentation:

SATB ACCOMP

Model #:

EB32117

Composer: Johann Kuhnau (1660-1722)
Editor: David Erler
Format: Book, Urtext
Voicing: SATB with Piano Reduction

The cantata Schmucket das Fest mit Maien has survived without any information about the time of its composition, its purpose, or its scoring. The librettist is also unknown, although there is a comparatively similar text in the work of the Silesian poet Hans Assmann Freiherr von Abschatz (1646-1699), printed in Leipzig in 1704. Since the copy of the score that serves as the source for this edition was probably written after 1708, and the work is closely related to the cantata Daran erkennen wir (PB 32090), it could have been written during Kuhnau's first years as Thomaskantor from 1701 on.

The text set to music provides information about the purpose of the cantata. In the course of the work, the image of the bridegroom and his bride from the Song of Songs is reinterpreted as the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the congregation of Christians. In the first part, passages from the Song of Songs predominate while the second part quotes their symbolic interpretations or treats them in free poetry. In the concluding chorale, a stanza from Philipp Nicolai's "Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern" ("How beautifully the morning star shines"), the outpouring and the flames are also mentioned, so the purpose to the feast of Pentecost is clear.

Another special feature of the cantata is the varied and colourful instrumentation with the scoring of two flutes, two oboes and bassoon in individual movements, in addition to the usual, sometimes divided strings.
Duration: 25:00

Audio samples: Opella Musica, camerata lipsiensis, cond. Gregor Meyer (cpo, 2015)

Contents:

• 01. Schmucket das Fest mit Maien
• 02. Schmuckt das Fest mit frischen Maien
• 03. Mein Freund komme in seinen Garten
• 04. Aria: Gelinder West, komm, komm zu mir
• 05. Stehe auf, meine Freundin
• 06. Kehre wieder, Sulamith
• 07. Das ist die Stimme meines Freundes
• 08. Aria: Edler Troster, geh herein
• 09. Gott hat einen hellen Schein in unsere Herzen gegeben
• 10. Getrost, ich weiss auf Erden schon mein Paradeis
• 11. Tutti: Daran erkennen wir, dass wir in Ihm bleiben
• 12. Gott wohnt allhier, den Himmel hab ich schon in mir
• 13. Choral Tutti: Geuss sehr tief in mein Herz hinein