Bach: Cantata No. 215 “Preise dein Glücke, gesegnetes Sachsen” / Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan
In October 1734, the Elector of Saxony (and King of Poland) Friedrich Augustus II suddenly decided to stay in Leipzig. It is said that Bach set the music to a text written by Johann Christoph Clauder in only three days. The first movement was later appropriated for the B minor Mass “Hosanna” which consists with a large composition of three trumpets, timpani, and double chorus. Unlike other secular cantatas, the text is not a myth or allegory, but a straightforward and very specific praise of the person and reign of Augustus II. The cantata was performed after the torchlight procession of 600 students. It is not known if it was the smoke from the torches or not, but “Stadtpfeifer” Gottfried Reiche of Leipzig, who played the first trumpet in the cantata, died of a stroke after the performance. It is said that Cantata No. 51, known for its superb technique, was written for him. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸
