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Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104

{{short description|Church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach}}

{{good article}}

{{Infobox Bach composition

| name = {{lang|de|Du Hirte Israel, höre}}

| bwv = 104

| type = Church cantata

| image = Champaigne shepherd.jpg

| image_upright = 0.8

| caption = The Good Shepherd, topic of the cantata, by Jean-Baptiste de Champaigne

| occasion = Second Sunday after Easter

| performed = {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date and age|1724|04|23|df=y}}|location=Leipzig}}

| movements = 6

| bible = {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Psalms|chapter=80|verse=1}}

| chorale = "{{langr|de|Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt}}" by Cornelius Becker

| vocal = {{plainlist|

}}

| instrumental = {{hlist | 2 oboes d'amore | taille | 2 violins | viola | continuo }}

}}

{{lang|de|Du Hirte Israel, höre}} (You Shepherd of Israel, hear),{{sfn|Dellal|2024}} Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis{{nbsp}}104, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach for the second Sunday after Easter. Bach composed the work as part of his first cantata cycle for Leipzig and first performed it on 23 April 1724.

The topic of the cantata, based on the prescribed reading from the Gospel of John, is Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The unknown librettist quoted and referred to related Biblical passages including the psalms. Bach structured the work in six movements and used pastoral music to illustrate the topic. The outer choral movements are an extended chorus, setting a verse from Psalm 80, and a four-part closing chorale of a hymn paraphrasing Psalm 23. Bach set the inner movements as alternating recitatives and arias. He scored the cantata for two vocal soloists, a four-part choir and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of a variety of oboes, strings and continuo.

History and words

Bach had assumed his position as Thomaskantor in Leipzig in May 1723. He composed {{lang|de|Du Hirte Israel, höre}} as part of his first cantata cycle there{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}{{sfn|Wollschläger|2017}} for the second Sunday after Easter, called {{langr|la|Misericordias Domini}}, or "The Lord's mercy".{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006}}{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}} The prescribed readings for that Sunday were from the First Epistle of Peter, Christ as a model ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Peter|chapter=2|verse=21|range=–25}}), and from the Gospel of John, the Good Shepherd ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=John|chapter=10|verse=11|range=–16}}).{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006}}

The unknown librettist found Biblical passages to quote and refer to even in the Old Testament, beginning with the first verse from Psalm 80{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}} which reads in the King James Version: "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel". In his poetry the writer referred to more Biblical context, such as {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Lamentations|chapter=3|verse=22|range=–25}} and {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Corinthians|chapter=10|verse=13}} used for the first recitative, reflecting that God as the Good Shepherd will take care. In the second recitative, he deduced: "Only gather, o good Shepherd, us poor and erring ones; ah, let our journey soon reach an end and lead us into your sheepfold!" The last aria expresses, based on ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=John|chapter=10|verse=11|range=–16}}, hope "for faith's reward after a gentle sleep of death" ("des Glaubens Lohn nach einem sanften Todesschlafe"), combining the Baroque ideas of pastoral peace and longing for death.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006}}{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}} He chose for the conclusion the first stanza of Cornelius Becker's 1598 hymn "{{langr|de|Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt}}", a paraphrase of Psalm 23.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}

Bach led the first performance of the cantata at the Nikolaikirche on 23 April 1724.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=299}}

Music

= Scoring and structure =

Bach structured the cantata in six movements, scored for tenor (T) and bass (B) soloists, a four-part choir SATB, and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of two oboes (Ob, Nos 1 & 6), two oboes d'amore (Oa, Nos 3 & 5), taille (tenor oboe, Ot), two violins (Vl), viola (Va) and basso continuo.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}

In the following table of the movements, the scoring follows the Neue Bach-Ausgabe. The keys and time signatures are taken from Alfred Dürrs's standard book The Cantatas of J. S. Bach, using the symbol for common time (4/4).{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|pp=298–299}} He gives the duration as 23 minutes.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006}}

{{Classical movement header | show_text_source = yes | work = Du Hirte Israel, höre | instruments1 = Winds | instruments2 = Strings}}

{{Classical movement row

| number = 1

| title = {{langr|de|Du Hirte Israel, höre}}

| text_source = Bible

| type = Chorus

| vocal = SATB

| instruments1 = 2Ob Ot

| instruments2 = 2Vl Va

| key = G major

| time = 3/4

}}

{{Classical movement row

| number = 2

| title = {{langr|de|Der höchste Hirte sorgt vor mich}}

| text_source =

| type = Recitative

| vocal = T

| instruments1 =

| instruments2 =

| key =

| time = {{music|common-time}}

}}

{{Classical movement row

| number = 3

| title = {{langr|de|Verbirgt mein Hirte sich zu lange}}

| text_source =

| type = Aria

| vocal = T

| instruments1 = 2Oa

| instruments2 =

| key = B minor

| time = {{music|common-time}}

}}

{{Classical movement row

| number = 4

| title = {{lang|de|Ja, dieses Wort ist meiner Seelen Speise|italic=no}}

| text_source =

| type = Recitative

| vocal = B

| instruments1 =

| instruments2 =

| key = D major

| time = {{music|common-time}}

}}

{{Classical movement row

| number = 5

| title = {{langr|de|Beglückte Herde, Jesu Schafe}}

| text_source =

| type = Aria

| vocal = B

| instruments1 = Ob

| instruments2 = 2Vl Va

| key = D major

| time = 12/8

}}

{{Classical movement row

| number = 6

| title = {{langr|de|Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt}}

| text_source = Becker

| type = Chorale

| vocal = SATB

| instruments1 = 2Ob

| instruments2 = 2Vl Va

| key = A major

| time = {{music|common-time}}

}}

{{End}}

= Movements =

File:Baroque oboe damour.jpg

Bach referred in his music in various ways to the pastoral aspect of the text. Dürr noted that the Baroque period was fond of pastoral scenes, be it in painting, music or poetry, focused on a tranquil and peaceful mood to be associated to ideals such as innocence, love, faith and friendship.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=299}} John Eliot Gardiner, who conducted the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage in 2000, reminds of the "predominantly agrarian society" of 18th-century Saxony, with an easy "transfer of rural imagery to contemplative religious texts".{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}} He notes an aspiring upward tonal progression from G major via B minor (tenor) and D major (bass) to A major.{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}}

== 1 ==

In the instrumental introduction of the opening chorus, three oboes create pastoral sounds, which are frequently associated with shepherds, on the firm ground of extended pedal point in triplets.{{sfn|Leonard|2012}} Bach used similar means in his Christmas Oratorio in the Sinfonia opening Part II. The choir often sings in homophony, in its first entrance "{{langr|de|Du Hirte Israel, höre}}" (You Shepherd of Israel, give ear), and in short repeated calls such as "höre!" (give ear!) and "erscheine!" (appear!). The movements features two fugues, representing Joseph leading his flocks, which is illustrated in soft long runs in triplets.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|pp=298–300}} The fugue subject is the same in both fugues, but the second time the voices enter from the lowest to the highest, culminating in an ultimate third section of the calls that get more and more urgent. Different from similar settings, the instrumental introduction is not repeated after this climax. Gardiner described the movement as a "gentle choral dance", in a benign mood. He noted that the sonority of three oboes, often associated with shepherd music, was added to the strings later. The chorus was possibly a parody of a lost graduation cantata, Siehe der Hüter Israel, BWV Anh. 15.{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}}

== 2 ==

The first short recitative, "{{langr|de|Der höchste Hirte sorget vor mich}}" (The Highest Shepherd watches over me), is based on {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Lamentations|chapter=3|verse=22|range=–25}}, saying that the compassion of the Lord is new every morning. It leads to an arioso part ending with a quotation from {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Corinthians|chapter=10|verse=13}}, "{{langr|de|Gott ist getreu}}" (God is faithful).{{sfn|Dellal|2024}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=300}}

== 3 ==

The tenor aria, "{{langr|de|Verbirgt mein Hirte sich zu lange}}" (Though my Shepherd might remain hidden),{{sfn|Dellal|2024}} is accompanied by two oboes d'amore. The text reflects that the singer sometimes feels "too anxious" in the wilderness and cries "a believing 'Abba'". The phrase is derived from {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Romans|chapter=8|verse=15}} ("ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father") and {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Galatians|chapter=4|verse=6}} ("And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.").{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|pp=299–300}} Bach emphasized "too anxious" with chromatic harmonies and motifs, and illustrated the cries of the middle section by both octave leaps and rising scales.{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=300}}

== 4 ==

The second recitative is sung by the bass, "{{langr|de|Ja, dieses Wort ist meiner Seelen Speise}}" (Yes, this word is the nourishment of my soul).{{sfn|Dellal|2024}} The singer says that calling the Good Shepherd is a foretaste of heaven and prays to be included in the flock.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=300}}

== 5 ==

In the bass aria, "{{langr|de|Beglückte Herde, Jesu Schafe}}" (Happy flock, sheep of Jesus),{{sfn|Dellal|2024}} the singer reflects on looking forward to happiness after a "sweet sleep of death".{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=299}} The music is reminiscent of the opening chorus in instrumentation, triplets and extended pedal points. The passage of the sleep of death is marked by expressive harmonies while the musical themes continue.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=300}} Gardiner writes that the opening section introduces phrases in 12/8 metre with "rich writing for the inner voices", creating "its own potent alchemy" in a pastoral dance seemingly secure. In the middle section, when "death's gentle slumber" is mentioned, the voice "sinks" and then gently rises and alights. A soothing mood is created by an undulating melody, a rhythmic pulse and a "rich harmonic weave" of the music.{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}} Gardiner quoted Laurence Dreyfus who commented: "it is precisely those ... momentary incursions of suffering into the innocence and tenderness that characterise what is so very remarkable about Bach",{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}} and continued that Bach's belief "is the motor for this music, his exegetical purpose to demonstrate that, with Christ's help, the 'meadow of heaven' is not a lost Arcadia but a realistically attainable destination.{{sfn|Gardiner|2007}}

== 6 ==

The closing choral, "{{langr|de|Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt}}" (The Lord is my faithful shepherd),{{sfn|Dellal|2024}} is a four-part setting on the familiar tune of the German Gloria, "{{langr|de|Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr}}".{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=300}}{{sfn|Wollschläger|2017}}{{sfn|Dahn|2024}}

= Manuscripts and publication =

While the autograph score of {{lang|de|Du Hirte Israel, höre}} is lost, 12 manuscript parts survived.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}{{sfn|Wollschläger|2017}}

The cantata was published by the Bach-Gesellschaft in the Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe (BGA), the first attempt at a complete edition of Bach's works a century after the composer's death, in vol. 23 in 1876. It was edited by Wilhelm Rust.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}{{sfn|Wollschläger|2017}}

The New Bach Edition ({{lang|de|Neue Bach-Ausgabe}}, NBA) published the work in 1988, edited by Reinmar Emans, with critical commentary added the following year.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}{{sfn|Wollschläger|2017}} Carus published a critical edition in German and English as part of its {{lang|de|Stuttgarter Bach-Ausgaben}} in 2017, edited by Reinhold Kubik.{{sfn|Wollschläger|2017}}

Recordings

The Bach Cantatas Website lists 38 recordings of the cantata as of 2024, including:{{sfn|Oron|2023}}{{sfn|muziekweb|2024}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="margin-right: 0;"
+ Recordings of Du Hirte Israel, höre
scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Conductor / Choir / Orchestra

! scope="col" | Soloists

! scope="col" | Label

! scope="col" | Year

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Werner

| title = Les Grandes Cantates de J. S. Bach Vol. 2

| conductor = {{sortname|Fritz|Werner}}

| choir = Heinrich-Schütz-Chor Heilbronn

| orchestra = Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Erato

| year = 19667{{sfn|Quinn|2004}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Richter

| title = Bach Cantatas Vol. 2 – Easter

| conductor = {{sortname|Karl|Richter|dab=conductor}}

| choir = Münchener Bach-Chor

| orchestra = Münchener Bach-Orchester

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Archiv Produktion

| year = {{Start date|1973}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Harnoncourt

| title = J. S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk • Complete Cantatas • Les Cantates, Folge / Vol. 6

| conductor = {{sortname|Nikolaus|Harnoncourt}}

| choir = Tölzer Knabenchor

| orchestra = Concentus Musicus Wien

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Teldec

| year = {{Start date|1980}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Rilling

| title = Die Bach Kantate Vol. 6

| conductor = {{sortname|Helmuth|Rilling}}

| choir = Gächinger Kantorei

| orchestra = Bach-Collegium Stuttgart

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Hänssler

| year = {{Start date|2000}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Gardiner

| title = Bach Cantatas Vol. 23: Arnstadt/Echternach

| conductor = {{sortname|John Eliot|Gardiner}}

| choir = Monteverdi Choir

| orchestra = English Baroque Soloists

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Soli Deo Gloria

| year = {{Start date|2000}}{{sfn|Quinn|2007}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Leusink

| title = Bach Edition Vol. 4 – Cantatas Vol. 9

| conductor = {{sortname|Pieter Jan|Leusink}}

| choir = Holland Boys Choir

| orchestra = {{nowrap|Netherlands Bach Collegium}}

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Brilliant Classics

| year = {{Start date|2000}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Koopman

| title = J. S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 6

| conductor = {{sortname|Ton|Koopman}}

| orchestra = Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Antoine Marchand
{{OCLC|811333583}}

| year = {{Start date|2000}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Suzuki

| title = J. S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 19 (Cantatas from Leipzig 1724)

| conductor = {{sortname|Masaaki|Suzuki}}

| orchestra = Bach Collegium Japan

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = BIS

| year = {{Start date|2001}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Lutz

| title = Bachvespern Frankfurt/Wiesbaden Mitschnitte aus den Gottesdiensten Frühjahr 2005''

| conductor = {{sortname|Martin|Lutz}}

| choir = Kantorei St. Katharinen

| orchestra = Bach-Collegium Frankfurt/Wiesbaden

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Bachvespern Frankfurt/Wiesbaden

| year = {{Start date|2005}}

}}

{{Cantata discography row

| id = Veldhoven

| title = Bach: Cantata Du Hirte Israel, höre BWV 104''

| conductor = {{sortname|Jos van|Veldhoven}}

| choir = Netherlands Bach Society

| orchestra =

| soloists = {{plainlist|

}}

| label = Netherlands Bach Society

| year = {{Start date|2018}}{{sfn|Netherlands Bach Society|2020}}

}}

References

{{reflist | 20em }}

= Cited sources =

== by title ==

  • {{cite web

| url = http://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000129?lang=en

| title = Du Hirte Israel, höre BWV 104; BC A 65

| website = Bach Digital

| date = 2024

| ref = {{sfnref|Bach Digital|2024}}

}}

  • {{cite web

| url = https://www.muziekweb.nl/en/Link/U00000605646/CLASSICAL/Cantate-pour-solistes-2-choeur-et-orchestre-BWV-104-%22Du-Hirte-Israel-h%C3%B6re%22

| title = Cantata for soloists [2], choir and orchestra BWV.104, "Du Hirte Israel, höre"

| website = muziekweb.nl

| date = 2024

| access-date = 2 April 2024

| ref = {{sfnref|muziekweb|2024}}

}}

  • {{cite web

| url = https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-104

| title = Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104

| website = Netherlands Bach Society

| date = 2020

| ref = {{sfnref|Netherlands Bach Society|2020}}

}}

== by author ==

  • {{cite web

| last = Dahn

| first = Luke

| url = http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0104_6.htm

| title = 104.6

| website = bach-chorales.com

| date = 2024

| access-date = 2 April 2024

}}

  • {{cite web

| last = Dellal

| first = Pamela

| author-link = Pamela Dellal

| url = https://www.emmanuelmusic.org/bach-translations/bwv-104

| title = BWV 104 – Du Hirte Israel, höre

| publisher = Emmanuel Music

| date = 2024

| access-date = 2 April 2024

}}

  • {{cite book

| last1 = Dürr

| first1 = Alfred

| author1-link = Alfred Dürr

| last2 = Jones

| first2 = Richard D. P.

| author2-link = Richard D. P. Jones

| chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA298

| chapter = 1.25 Second Sunday after Easter (Misericordias Domini)

| title = The Cantatas of J. S. Bach: With Their Librettos in German-English Parallel Text

| location = Oxford

| publisher = Oxford University Press

| date = 2006

| pages = 298–300

| isbn = 978-0-19-969628-4

}}

  • {{Cite AV media notes

| last = Gardiner

| first = John Eliot

| author-link = John Eliot Gardiner

| url = https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_SDG131

| title = Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) / Cantatas Nos 42, 67, 85, 104, 112, 150 & 158

| publisher = Soli Deo Gloria (at Hyperion Records website)

| date = 2007

| access-date = 27 April 2019

}}

  • {{cite web

| last = Leonard

| first = James

| url = http://www.allmusic.com/work/cantata-no-104-du-hirte-israel-hre-bwv-104-bc-a65-c86785/description

| title = Cantata No. 42, "Du Hirte Israel, höre" BWV 104

| publisher = Allmusic

| date = 2012

| access-date = 1 May 2011

}}

  • {{cite web

| last = Oron

| first = Aryeh

| url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV104.htm

| title = Cantata BWV 104 Du Hirte Israel, höre

| website = Bach Cantatas Website

| date = 2023

| access-date = 4 April 2024

}}

  • {{cite web

| last = Quinn

| first = John

| url = http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2004//Nov04/Bach_cantatas1.htm

| title = Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) / Cantatas Volume 1

| website = musicweb-international.com

| date = November 2004

| access-date = 13 April 2024

}}

  • {{cite web

| last = Quinn

| first = John

| url = http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/july07/Bach_Gardiner_sdg131.htm

| title = Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) / The Bach Cantata Pilgrimage - Volume 23

| website = musicweb-international.com

| date = July 2007

| access-date = 4 April 2024

}}

  • {{cite web

| last = Wollschläger

| first = Karin

| url = https://www.carusmedia.com/images-intern/medien//30/3110400/3110400x.pdf

| title = Du Hirte Israel, höre / O shield of Israel, hear us / Foreword

| publisher = Carus-Verlag

| date = 2017

| page = 4

| access-date = 2 April 2024

}}

External links

  • {{IMSLP|work=Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)}}
  • {{cite book

| last = Dürr

| first = Alfred

| author-link = Alfred Dürr

| title = Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach

| date = 1981

| publisher = Deutscher Taschenbuchverlag

| isbn = 3-423-04080-7

| volume = 1

| edition = 4

| pages = [https://archive.org/details/diekantatenvonjo0002durr/page/256 256–258]

| language = de

| url = https://archive.org/details/diekantatenvonjo0002durr/page/256

}}

  • {{cite web

| last = Mincham

| first = Julian

| url = https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-51-bwv-104

| title = Chapter 51 BWV 104 Du Hirte Israel, höre

| publisher = jsbachcantatas.com

| date = 2010

| access-date = 25 August 2022

}}

  • [http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV104.html BWV 104 Du Hirte Israel, höre]: English translation, University of Vermont
  • {{cite web

| url = http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/104.html

| title = BWV 104 Du Hirte Israel, höre

| publisher = University of Alberta

| access-date = 7 January 2013

}}

{{Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach}}

{{Bach cantatas}}

{{authority control}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Du Hirte Israel Hore Bwv 104}}

Category:Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach

Category:1724 compositions

Category:Psalm-related compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach