J.-S.

BACH - Cantata BWV 215

Preise dein Glücke, gesegnetes Sachsen
Cantate BWV 215 - Loue ton bonheur

Événement : anniversaire du couronnement d'Auguste III comme roi de Pologne

Première exécution : 5 octobre 1734

7. Air [Soprano]
Flauto traverso I/II, Violini, Continuo

Durch die von Eifer entflammeten Waffen

Utiliser les armes enflammées avec zèle
Feinde bestrafen,
Pour punir les ennemis,
Bringt zwar manchem Ehr und Ruhm;
Apporte gloire et renommée à beaucoup ;
Aber die Bosheit mit Wohltat vergelten,
Mais récompenser le mal par le bien
Ist nur der Helden,
N'appartient qu'aux héros,
Ist Augustus' Eigentum.
C'est la qualité d'Auguste.

Entirely different is the third and last aria of the cantata "Durch die vom Eifer entflammete
Waffen", in which the King's kindness is praised. Already the unusual instrumentation with
obbligato flute, soprano doubled by oboe d'amore, and fundamental part known at that time
as "Bassettchen" (little bass), consisting of violins and violetta (a sort of viola), make obvious
what was important to Bach: The continuo fund, the symbol of the "standing on the ground
with both feet", is missing; for the repaying of "evil with good deed" ("die Bosheit mit
Wohlvat vergelten”) is an entirely unearthly characteristic - we recall the St. Matthew Passion
(BWV 244), in which Bach also left the aria "Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben" ("Out of
love, my Saviour will die") without continuo to illustrate the words "von einer Sünde weiß er
nichts" ("of a sin, he knows nothing"). Bach later used the cantata aria in the Christmas
Oratorio (BWV 248) with the text "Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinne" ("Illuminate also my
dark thoughts"), but this time with continuo, for which, to be sure, a less elaborate setting was
indicated than for the other movements.