Johann Sebastian Bach
Let us watch him, let us guard him BWV 213
Hercules at the Crossroads (Dramma per musica)
Johann Sebastian Bach
Let us watch him, let us guard him BWV 213
Hercules at the Crossroads (Dramma per musica)
- Instrumentation Soloists (SAATB), Mixed Choir (SATB), 2 Horns, 2 Oboes, 2 Violins, 2 Violas and Basso continuo
- Composer Johann Sebastian Bach
- Editor Uwe Wolf
- Lyricist Christian Friedrich Henrici
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Difficulty Level
- Edition Instrumental Parts: Horn 1 & Horn 2 (Download)
- Publisher Carus-Verlag
- Order no. CV31213-31-DL
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Description:
What does Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" have to do with Hercules? More than you might think at first glance. In the summer of 1733, the eleventh birthday of the Saxon Elector Friedrich Christian on 5 September 1733, Johann Sebastian Bach composed the festive cantata "Lasst uns sorgen, lasst uns wachen". On his birthday, he will perform the play in honour of the prince with the Collegium musicum in the garden of Zimmermann's café in Leipzig.
Picander's libretto tells the mythological story of young Hercules, who has to choose between lust and virtue. Hercules naturally chooses virtue, the 'right' path. An equation of Hercules with the young Elector can already be guessed at in the first choral movement and is sealed in the final chorus.
Musically, most of the choruses and arias of the cantata are known today. Bach later adopted it in his "Christmas Oratorio" BWV 248. For example, the festive opening chorus "Lasst uns sorgen, lasst uns wachen" found its place as the opening chorus "Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben" of the New Year's Cantata. The effect may differ due to the different thematic embedding – but numerous aha effects are guaranteed for the audience!
Picander's libretto tells the mythological story of young Hercules, who has to choose between lust and virtue. Hercules naturally chooses virtue, the 'right' path. An equation of Hercules with the young Elector can already be guessed at in the first choral movement and is sealed in the final chorus.
Musically, most of the choruses and arias of the cantata are known today. Bach later adopted it in his "Christmas Oratorio" BWV 248. For example, the festive opening chorus "Lasst uns sorgen, lasst uns wachen" found its place as the opening chorus "Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben" of the New Year's Cantata. The effect may differ due to the different thematic embedding – but numerous aha effects are guaranteed for the audience!