Bach: Cantata No. 11 “Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt
This is one of my most favorite cantatas by Bach. It is also called the “Ascension Oratorio”. The text is by Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), a tax officer and poet of Leipzig. The instrumental arrangement is three trumpets and timpani, two flute traversos, two oboes, string ensemble and basso continuo. The opening chorus “Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen” is an uplifting and cheerful piece that begins with trumpets and timpani. Following a short recitative by the tenor (playing the role of the evangelist here), a bass recitative is sung to the accompaniment of two flutes. The third alto aria was later adapted for the Mass in B minor, “Agnus Dei”. It is a touching piece with a typical Bach melody, with many diminished sevenths and repeated modulations. The first part ends with a tenor recitative and a chorale, “Nun lieget alles unter dir”.
The second half begins with a tenor recitative and an arioso for tenor and bass (“Ihr Männer von Galiläa”). The alto recitative, “Ach ja! so komme bald zurück” is sung to the accompaniment of two flutes, followed by tenor recitative, followed by a soprano aria, “Jesu, deine Gnadenblicke” sung by a flute unison without basso continuo, an oboe, and a basset of violins and violas unison. Although there is no name in the liner notes, the soprano soloist is a soloist from the Wiener Sängerknaben. His lovely singing is very good. The piece ends festively with the chorale “Wenn soll es doch geschehen” performed by a full orchestra featuring trumpets and timpani.
