Sunday Bach - Trinity 20

Bach wrote three cantatas for the 20th Sunday after Trinity, and this is the middle one - BWV 180, Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Adorn yourself, o beloved soul, Leipzig 1724). This one is a joyous dance of a cantata, and as a flute player myself I especially enjoy the major role this instrument plays in the work. Here's musicologist Simon Crouch on this joyful dance of a cantata:

If anyone doubts the influence of the dance on Bach's sacred music, let them listen to this cantata. It is hard not to picture the congregation of St. Thomas' skipping down the aisle during the opening chorus! This cantata mixes the stories of the Epistle (avoid bad company, bad habits, etc etc) and the Gospel (the parable of the marriage of the King's son, in which invitations are sent out but largely ignored). The opening chorus illustrates the Epistle, the first aria the Gospel and from then on, things are mixed about. 

A summary listen to the following tenor aria strongly supports Robert Marshall's thesis that Bach must have had a formidably good transverse flute player available whilst this cantata was written. It mixes stunning virtuosity with great beauty. It's also interesting to note an unusual feature in this cantata: Both transverse flutes and recorders are used. The cantata continues with a recitative that develops into a beautiful arioso, then a recitative followed by an air. This latter always makes me giggle a bit, since it bustles along in a very no nonsense way. I always imagine it being sung by a very prim soprano wearing a hat. After the final recitative, there is a very delicate, very beautiful chorale (Jesu, wahres Brot des Lebes).

Copyright © 1996 & 1998, Simon Crouch

Today's performance from a recording by the Gabrieli Consort & Players under the direction of Paul McCreesh. Enjoy!

Photo © 2019 by A. Roy Hilbinger