Cantata: 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott' BWV 80 Flashcards
Flashcards for features of the first set work of Vocal Music.
Context- Date, location and event of first performance
Late baroque work first performed at the Festival of the Reformation on 31st October 1730. It was first performed at St Thomas’ Church, Leipzig, where Bach was music director.
What was the Festival of the Reformation?
A celebration commemorating the split of Martin Luther from the Roman Catholic Church.
What performers did this cantata require?
SATB vocal soloists, small chorus, an orchestra and continuo.
What kind of work is the full cantata?
A multi-movement work consisting of arias, chorus, recitatives, duets and chorale for congregation.
Where is the text taken from?
For movements 1,2, 5 and 8, text from Martin Luther’s hymn is used.
In the second movement, the chorale tune and soprano text are heard alongside a bass part using the poetry of Salomo Franck.
What are the instrumental forces in Movement 1?
•SATB
•3 x oboes
(1 Taille Oboe - similar to a Cor Anglais)
•Strings (including violone - similar range to a
double bass)
•Violins and violas double the SAT lines
•Cello ‘shadows’ the bass, sometimes elaborated in heterophony.
What are the instrumental forces in Movement 2?
- Soprano and Bass duet
- Soprano doubled by oboe, sometimes in heterophony
- Violins 1,2 and violas give obligato line in unison supported by continuo
What is an obligato line?
A prominent and essential independent melody.
What are the instrumental forces in movement 8 (the chorale)?
- SATB
- Each of the SATB parts are doubled by instruments.
- The soprano and alto parts are doubled by the oboe d’amore
- The tenor part is doubled by the taille (alto oboe)
- The bass part is doubled by continuo instruments.
What type of notation is used in the whole cantata?
Various forms of traditional stave notation.
What is the notation used in Movement 1?
- One stave per instrument/voice
- One stave for cello and cembalo
- One stave for violone and organ
What is a cembalo?
Harpsichord
What notation is used in Movement 2?
•Violins and violas use 1 stave.
What notation is used in Movement 8?
Open score (for chorale)
What dynamics are used for the cantata?
No dynamics- this is baroque after all.
What is figured bass used for?
It is used to indicate the harmony as numbers below the bass line- indicating intervals to be played with the bass notes.
What tempo indications are there?
There are no tempo indications - the performers use the time signature and character of each movement to estimate an appropriate speed.
What is the metre and pace of Movement 1?
Half common time with four minims per bar.
The pace is brisk.
What is the estimated tempo of the second movement?
Relatively fast but controlled tempo.
What necessitates the tempo of Movement 2?
- ‘moto perpetuo’ semiquavers
- Walking bass quavers
- Florid (excessively intricate) shorter values in vocal parts and oboe
What two movements are in quadruple time?
Movements 2 and 8.
What are the features of Movement 8 in terms of tempo, metre and rhythm?
Movement 8 has a more moderate tempo.
•Bach chorale relies on flowing quavers in lower parts.
•Pause marks indicate end of phrase not sustaining notes.
Who’s chorale provides the melodic basis of Movements 1,2 and 8?
Martin Luther’s!
What are the melodic features/characteristics of Movement 8?
- The chorale tune is presented with elaboration
- Powerful repeated notes
- Mostly conjunct with few leaps
- Forceful descending scale at end of first section and final phrase.
- Single note outside of D major used (G#)
- Mixture of syllabic and neumatic (2-3 words/syllable) word setting
