Johann Ludwig Bach Explained

Johann Ludwig Bach (– 1 May 1731) was a German composer and violinist.

He was born in near Eisenach. At the age of 22 he moved to Meiningen eventually being appointed cantor there, and later Kapellmeister. He wrote a large amount of music and regularly oversaw performances, both at Meiningen and neighbouring courts.

He was a third cousin of Johann Sebastian Bach, who made copies of several of his cantatas and performed them at Leipzig. The cantata Denn du wirst meine Seele nicht in der Hölle lassen, BWV 15, once thought to be by Johann Sebastian, and listed as BWV 15 in Wolfgang Schmieder's catalogue of his works, is now thought to be by Johann Ludwig.

Bach died in Meiningen.

Works, editions and recordings

See also: Church cantatas in Leipzig between Trinity Sunday 1725 and St. John's Day 1728. The earliest lists of compositions by Johann Ludwig Bach appeared in the 19th century: Johann Theodor Mosewius listed 16 of his cantatas in 1852,[1] and Alfred Dörffel listed 17 cantatas and the Mass in E minor, with their incipits, in Vol. 41 of the Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe (1894). The Johann-Ludwig-Bach-Verzeichnis (catalogue of compositions by Johann Ludwig Bach, abbreviated JLB) contains 39 compositions, starting, in the same sequence, with the 17 cantatas listed by Dörffel:[2]

  1. Gott ist unser Zuversicht, sacred cantata for the fourth Sunday after Epiphany. Scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists (satb) and choir (SATB), with an accompaniment consisting of 2 violin parts and one viola part (Str), and basso continuo (Bc). Performed in Leipzig on .[3] [4]
  2. Der Gottlosen Arbeit, sacred cantata for the fifth Sunday after Epiphany. Scored for satbSATB, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[5] [6]
  3. Darum will ich auch erwählen, sacred cantata for the third Sunday before Lent (Septuagesima). Scored for satbSATB, two oboes (2Ob), Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[7] [8]
  4. Darum säet euch Gerechtigkeit, sacred cantata for the second Sunday before Lent (Sexagesima). Scored for satbSATB, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[9] [10]
  5. Ja, mir hast du Arbeit gemacht, sacred cantata for the last Sunday before Lent (Estomihi). Scored for satbSATB, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on . Movements:[11] [12] [13]

Part I

Aria (bass): "Ja, mir hast du Arbeit gemacht" (Yes, you rather burden me,) – Recitative (tenor): "Der Herr der Herrlichkeit" (The Lord of blessedness) – Duet (alto, tenor): "Ach, der Sünden Greul und Wust" (O, confusing sinfulness) – Recitative (bass): "Sehet, wir gehen hinauf" (Come now, we journey the path)

Part II

Aria (soprano): "Fließt, ihr Lieb- und Trauertränen" (Flow, my tears of love and mourning!,) – Recitative (soprano): "Dies ist das Reis'geschenk" (With tears I follow you) – Arioso (alto): "O wundergroße Lieb" (O wondrous loving heart) – Chorus: "Zieh, teurer Jesus, hin" (My precious Lord, alas), concluding with two stanzas from Johannes Heermann's "Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen" (tune by Johannes Crüger)

  1. Wie lieblich sind auf den Bergen, sacred cantata for the first Sunday after Easter (Quasimodogeniti). Scored for satbSATB, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[14] [15]
  2. Ich will meinen Geist, sacred cantata for the sixth Sunday after Trinity. Scored for satbSATB, two natural horns (2Hn), Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on . Movements:[16] [17] [18]
    1. Duet (soprano, alto): "Ich will meinen Geist in euch geben"
    2. Recitative (bass): "Das Gute, das ich kann"
    3. Aria (bass): "Lass mich deine Hilfe spüren"
    4. Arioso (alto, tenor): "An dem merken wir, dass wir ihn kennen"
    5. Aria (soprano): "Seele, wilst du Christum kennen"
    6. Recitative (soprano): "Dies ist die Prob', die er von dir begehrt"
    7. Chorus: "Hilf Jesu, hilf" – Chorale: "Die Werke kommen wahrlich her"
  3. Die mit Tränen säen, sacred cantata for the third Sunday after Easter (Jubilate). Scored for satbSATB, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on . Movements:[19] [20] [21]
    1. Chorus: "Die mit Tränen säen" (Who has sorrow planting,)
    2. Recitative (alto): "Bei unverdrossnem Schweiß" (Alone by work and care)
    3. Aria (alto): "Tau und Tränen feuchten Saat und Herzen an" (Dew and weeping water seeds and faithful hearts)
    4. Duet (tenor, bass): "Denn ich halte es dafür" (This I strongly do maintain,)
    5. Aria (soprano): "Dringt, ihr Qualen auf mich her" (Come, o torments, over me)
    6. Recitative (soprano): "Es kann die Seel kein besser Glück genießen" (The soul can know no higher satisfaction)
    7. Chorus: "O angenehmer Tausch" (O wonderful exchange), concluding with three stanzas from "Kommt her zu mir" by Georg Grünwald
  4. Mache dich auf, werde licht, sacred cantata for the feast of Purification. Scored for satbSATB, 2Ob, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on . Movements:[22] [23]

Part I

Aria (bass): "Mache dich auf, werde licht" (Rise up and shine, be a light) – Duet (soprano, tenor): "Und die Heiden" (And the nations) – Recitative (alto): "Siehst du, verdüstert Aug'" (See now, most darkened eye) – Aria (soprano): "Weicht, ihr Schatten" (Flee, dark shadows) – Aria (tenor): "Herr, nun lässet du deinen Diener" (Lord, you let now your faithful servant)

Part II

Aria (alto): "Herr, dein Wort, das ist geschehen" (Lord, your word has been fulfilled now) – Recitative (soprano, alto, tenor, bass): "Dein Reich ist ja den Menschen zubereitet" (Your kingdom, Lord, is meant for ev'rybody) – Chorus: "Laß, Höchster, diesen Wunsch" (Most highest, may this wish)

  1. Er ist aus der Angst und Gericht genommen, sacred cantata for Easter Monday. Scored for satbSATB, 2Ob, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[24]
  2. Er machet uns lebendig, sacred cantata for Easter Tuesday. Scored for satbSATB, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on . Movements:[25]
    1. Chorus: "Er machet uns lebendig"
    2. Recitative: "Du hast gesiegt"
    3. Aria: "Soll ich vor dir, Herr"
    4. Duet: "So sind wir nun mit ihm begraben"
    5. Aria: "Geerbte Schuld"
    6. Recitative: "Nimm, Heiland, hin den Dank"
    7. Chorale: "Hilf, daß ich mit diesem Morgen"
  3. Und ich will ihnen einen einigen Hirten, sacred cantata for the second Sunday after Easter (Misericordias Domini). Scored for satbSATB, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[26]
  4. Der Herr wird ein Neues im Lande, sacred cantata for the feast of Visitation. Scored for satbSATB, 2Ob, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on . Movements:[27]
    1. Chorus: "Der Herr wird ein Neues im Lande erschaffen"
    2. Recitative (alto): "Hat Gott nicht alles gut gemacht?"
    3. Aria (alto): "Evens Kinder aus der Schuld zu reißen"
    4. Aria (soprano): "Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn"
    5. Arioso (tenor, bass): "Gesegnet ist der Leib, der Jesum hat getragen"
    6. Recitative (alto, tenor, bass): "Muss alle Welt die Mutter selig preisen"
    7. Chorus: "Verschmähe nicht den Preis" – Chorale: "Nun lob', mein Seel', den Herren"
  5. Die Weisheit kömmt nicht, sacred cantata for the fourth Sunday after Easter (Cantate). Scored for sabbSATB, 2Ob, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on . Movements:[28]
    1. Chorus: "Die Weisheit kömmt nicht in eine boshafte Seele"
    2. Recitative (tenor): "Wie stehen Tag und Finsternis zusammen"
    3. Aria (tenor): "Licht und Recht muss die Brust der Seelen weisen"
    4. Arioso (bass): "Wenn derselbige kommt, der die Welt wird strafen"
    5. Aria (soprano): "Streu ein Fünklein reiner Flammen"
    6. Recitative (soprano): "Wie kann ich sonst vor seinem Recht bestehn?"
    7. Chorale (chorus): "O du allersüß'ste Freude"
  6. Durch sein Erkenntnis, sacred cantata for the 11th Sunday after Trinity. Scored for satbSATB, 2Ob, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[29]
  7. Ich aber ging für dir über, sacred cantata for the 13th Sunday after Trinity. Scored for satbSATB, 2Ob, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[30]
  8. Siehe, ich will meinen Engel senden, sacred cantata for the feast of St. John the Baptist. Scored for satbSATB, 2Ob, Str and Bc. Performed in Leipzig on .[31]
  9. Klingt vergnügt, ihr holden Saiten, secular cantata.[32]
  10. O Herr, ich bin dein Knecht, funeral music (Trauermusik) for Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (died 24 November 1724).[33] Movements:[34]

Part I:

"O Herr, ich bin dein Knecht" (Chorus) – Recitative: "Du Gottes Ebenbild" (Soprano) – Aria: "Ach ja, die Ketten" (Soprano) – Recitative: "Dein Will kann nicht das?" (Alto) – Aria: "O Herr, ich bin dein Knecht" (Alto) – Recitative: "So kannstu aus dem Diensthaus" (Tenor) – Aria: "Ob gleich aller Treiber Wut" (Tenor) – Recitative: "Ja, der, dem alle Macht" (Bass) – "Meine Bande sind zurissen" (Chorus)

Part II:

Duet and Aria: Ich suche nur das Himmelleben (Soprano, Alto, Bass) – Chorale: Herr Jesu Christ (Chorus) – Duet: Drum will ich auch Dankopfer bringen (Alto, Tenor) – Aria: Das, was ich meinem Gott versprochen (Bass) – Chorale: Herr Jesu Christ (Chorus) – Duet: Drum Welt, ade, ich bin dein müde (Soprano, Alto) – Aria and Chorale: Jerusalem, ich tu verlangen (Tenor, Bass, Chorus)

Part III:

Dir Will Ich Dank Opfern (Chorus) – Recitative: Was Ist Der Mensch, Herr (Alto) – Aria: Dies Macht Dein Sohn (Alto) – Recitative: Befreit Mich Nun Der Sohn (Tenor) – Aria: Lob Und Dank Zum Opfer Geben (Tenor) – Recitative: Doch Eines Weiss Ich Noch (Soprano) – Aria: Da, Da Will Ich Dir Bezahlen (Soprano) – Accompagnato: Die Herrschaft, Welche Nur (Bass) – So Viel Gnadengaben (Bass) – Finale: In Dir, Jerusalem (Chorus) – Chorale: Preis, Lob, Ehr, Ruhm, Dank, Kraft Und Macht (Chorus)

  1. Ouvertüre à 4 in G major.[35]
  2. Denn du wirst meine Seele nicht in der Hölle lassen, sacred cantata for Easter, in two parts.[36] Performed in Leipzig on, and for some time misattributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 15).[37]
  3. Küsset den Sohn, daß er nicht zürne.[38]
  4. Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden.
  5. Du sollst lieben Gott deinen Herrn, sacred cantata for the 13th Sunday after Trinity.[39]
  6. Es wird des Herren Tag kommen, sacred cantata.[40]
  7. Gehet, ihr Sorgen, gehet hin, for H. Anton Ulrich, 17 October 1728.
  8. Gott sei uns gnädig, motet.[41]
  9. Das ist meine Freude, motet.[42] [43] [44]
  10. Uns ist ein Kind geboren, motet.[45]
  11. Die richtig für sich gewandelt haben, motet.[46]
  12. Ich will auf den Herren schauen, motet.[47]
  13. Wir wissen so unser irdisches Haus, motet.[48]
  14. Unsere Trübsal die zeitlich und leicht ist, motet.[49] [50] [51]
  15. Das Blut Jesu Christi, motet.[52]
  16. Sei nun wieder zufrieden, motet.[53]
  17. Gedenke meiner, mein Gott, funeral motet.[54]
  18. Ich habe dich ein klein Augenblick verlassen, motet.[55]
  19. Kyrie–Gloria Mass in E minor, Missa super cantilena "Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr", a.k.a. BWV Anh. 166, formerly attributed to Johann Nicolaus Bach. Short addition by J. S. Bach in his Leipzig copy of this composition. The text of the Gloria is partly in German: it intersperses the Latin text of the Gloria with, as cantus firmus, all four stanzas of "Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr" (which is itself a paraphrase of the Gloria), a Lutheran hymn by Nicolaus Decius and Joachim Slüter. Movements:[56] [57] [58] [59]

Kyrie:

"Kyrie eleison" – "Christe eleison" – "Kyrie eleison"

Gloria:

"Gloria in excelsis" – "Laudamus te" – "Domine Fili unigenite" – "Quoniam tu solus sanctus" – "Cum Sancto Spiritu"

  1. Concerto for two violins and orchestra in D major.[60]

Further there is a sacred cantata for the second Sunday after Trinity, Kommet, es ist alles bereit, JLB deest, with a manuscript dated 1719.[61]

Compositions that are sometimes attributed to Johann Ludwig Bach:

Score publications

In 1852 Denn du wirst meine Seele nicht in der Hölle lassen, JLB 21, was published as J. S. Bach's 15th cantata by the Bach-Gesellschaft.[64] Carus Verlag published the Kyrie-Gloria Mass (JLB 38), the Suite in G major (JLB 20),[65] the motets,[66] and a few cantatas (JLB 5, 8 and 9). Facsimiles of several 18th-century manuscripts containing Johann Ludwig Bach's works are available at the Bach Digital website. Ulrich Leisinger's edition of the Trauermusik, JLB 19, was published by Hofmeister.[67]

Recordings

Sacred cantatas JLB 1–17:

Trauermusik, JLB 19

Overture in G major, JLB 20

Sacred cantata, JLB 21 (see also Denn du wirst meine Seele nicht in der Hölle lassen#Recordings):

Motets, JLB 27–37:

Kyrie-Gloria Mass, JLB 38

Concerto, JLB 39

Kyrie–Gloria Masses BWV Anh. 25 and 167:

References

  1. Johann Theodor Mosewius. Johann Sebastian Bach's Matthaüs-Passion, musikalisch-aesthetisch dargestellt. Berlin: Guttentag (Trautwein), 1852; Republished by Michael Heinemann (editor) at Georg Olms Verlag, 2001, p. VI
  2. [Hermann Max]
  3. [scores:Gott ist unser Zuversicht, JLB 1 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Gott ist unser Zuversicht, JLB 1 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  4. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  5. [scores:Der Gottlosen Arbeit, JLB 2 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Der Gottlosen Arbeit, JLB 2 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  6. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  7. [scores:Darum will ich auch erwählen, JLB 3 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Darum will ich auch erwählen, JLB 3 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  8. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  9. [scores:Darum säet euch Gerechtigkeit, JLB 4 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Darum säet euch Gerechtigkeit, JLB 4 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  10. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  11. Barbara Schlick, Mary Nichols, Wilfried Jochens, Jugendkantorei Dormagen, Das Kleine Konzert and Hermann Max (conductor). Johann Ludwig Bach: Kantaten. Carus, 1981
  12. [scores:Ja, mir hast du Arbeit gemacht, JLB 5 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Ja, mir hast du Arbeit gemacht, JLB 5 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  13. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  14. [scores:Wie lieblich sind auf den Bergen, JLB 6 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Wie lieblich sind auf den Bergen, JLB 6 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  15. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  16. [scores:Ich will meinen Geist, JLB 7 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Ich will meinen Geist, JLB 7 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  17. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  18. Maria Zadori, Kai Wessel, David Cordier, Wilfried Jochens, Hans-Georg Wimmer, Stephan Schreckenberger, Harry van der Kamp, the Rheinische Kantorei, the Kleine Konzert and Hermann Max (conductor) Missa Brevis "Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr". Capriccio, 2004
  19. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  20. Hans Hornung and Martin Gotthard Schneider (editors). Johann Ludwig Bach: Die mit Tränen säen. Carus, 1977 (21992)
  21. Susanne Gorzny, Steve Wächter, Michael Zabanoff, Biederitzer Kantorei, Telemann-Consort-Magdeburg and Michael Scholl (conductor). mitteldeutsche Barockkantaten. Amati, 2007
  22. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  23. [Hermann Max]
  24. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  25. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  26. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  27. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  28. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  29. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  30. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  31. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  32. Bach Digital Work 10563 at Bach Digital website
  33. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  34. Maria Zadori, Lena Susanne Norin, Guy de Mey, Klaus Mertens, Veronika Winter, Gundula Anders, Hans Jörg Mammel, Hans-Joachim Weber, Annette Schneider, Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert and Hermann Max (conductor). Johann Ludwig Bach: Trauermusik (für Soli, Doppelchor, 2 Orchester). Capriccio, 2011
  35. Bach Digital Work 10960 at Bach Digital website
  36. [scores:Denn du wirst meine Seele nicht in der Hölle lassen, JLB 21 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Denn du wirst meine Seele nicht in der Hölle lassen, JLB 21 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  37. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  38. http://home.arcor.de/kbhartmann/KATALOGE/bachjl.kat Johann Ludwig Bach
  39. Bach Digital Work 11030 at Bach Digital website
  40. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  41. Bach Digital Work 10468 at Bach Digital website
  42. [scores:Das ist meine Freude, JLB 28 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Das ist meine Freude, JLB 28 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  43. [choralwiki:Das ist meine Freude (Johann Ludwig Bach)|Das ist meine Freude (Johann Ludwig Bach)]
  44. Bach Digital Work 10470 at Bach Digital website
  45. Bach Digital Work 10472 at Bach Digital website
  46. Bach Digital Work 10473 at Bach Digital website
  47. Bach Digital Work 10477 at Bach Digital website
  48. Bach Digital Work 10479 at Bach Digital website
  49. [scores:Unsere Trübsal die zeitlich und leicht ist, JLB 33 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)|Unsere Trübsal die zeitlich und leicht ist, JLB 33 (Bach, Johann Ludwig)]
  50. [choralwiki:Unsere Trübsal (Johann Ludwig Bach)|Unsere Trübsal (Johann Ludwig Bach)]
  51. Bach Digital Work 10481 at Bach Digital website
  52. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  53. Bach Digital Work 10483 at Bach Digital website
  54. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  55. Bach Digital Work 10485 at Bach Digital website
  56. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  57. http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Vocal/BWVAnh166.htm Mass in E minor, BWV Anh 166
  58. [Klaus Hofmann]
  59. [Karl Geiringer|Geiringer, Karl]
  60. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  61. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  62. Bach Digital Work  at Bach Digital website
  63. [Bach Digital]
  64. [Johann Nikolaus Forkel]
  65. https://www.carus-verlag.com/themen/instrumentalmusik/orchestermusik/johann-ludwig-bach-suite-in-g.html Suite G-dur.
  66. [Uwe Wolf (musicologist)|Uwe Wolf]
  67. [Ulrich Leisinger]
  68. Musica Antiqua Köln and Reinhard Goebel (conductor). Bach Bachianas: Music by the Bach Family. Deutsche Grammophon, 2012
  69. Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and Thomas Hengelbrock (conductor) Johann Bernhard Bach: Orchestral Suites; Suites by J.L. Bach, Telemann, Fasch, & Zelenka. Warner Classics, 2015
  70. Mona Spägele, Harry Van Berne, Stephan Schreckenberger, Christiane Iven, Bremen Baroque Orchestra, Alsfelder Vocal Ensemble, Gesualdo Consort, etc. and Wolfgang Helbich (conductor). The Sacred Apocryphal Bach / Helbich, Alsfelder Vokalensemble (8-CD Set) CPO, 2014
  71. Ex tempore Gent, Orpheon Consort Wien and Florian Heyerick (conductor). Johann Ludwig Bach: Motetten für Doppelchor. Carus-Verlag, 2006.
  72. Choir of Clare College Cambridge and Timothy Brown (conductor). Motets of the Bach Family – J.C. Bach; J.S. Bach; J.M. Bach; J.L. Bach. United Classics, 2013
  73. Leipziger Cantorey and Gotthold Schwarz (conductor). Von Bach zu Bach – Motetten der Bach-Familie. Querstand, 2015
  74. Cantus Cölln, Concerto Palatino and Konrad Junghänel (conductor) Altbachisches Archiv – Les Archives de J.S. Bach. Harmonia Mundi, 2015
  75. [Gächinger Kantorei]
  76. Ex Tempore and Florian Heyerick (conductor) Un dimanche à Leipzig. Ricercar, 2012

Sources

External links