{{Short description|Church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach}} {{good article}} {{Infobox Bach composition | title = {{lang|de|Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort}} | bwv = 168 | type = Church cantata | image = Teachings of Jesus 31 of 40. parable of the unjust steward. Jan Luyken etching. Bowyer Bible.gif | caption = Parable of the Unjust Steward, etching by Jan Luyken, Bowyer Bible | occasion = Ninth Sunday after Trinity | performed = {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1725|07|29|df=y}}|location=Leipzig}} | movements = 6 | text_poet = Salomon Franck | chorale = "{{langr|de|Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut}}" by Bartholomäus Ringwaldt | vocal = {{abbr|SATB|soprano, alto, tenor and bass}} solo and choir | instrumental = {{hlist | 2 oboes d'amore | 2 violins | viola | continuo }} }} Johann Sebastian Bach composed the church cantata '''{{lang|de|Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort}}''' (Settle account! Word of thunder),<ref name="Dellal" /> '''{{abbr|BWV|Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (catalogue of Bach's works)}}{{nbsp}}168''' in Leipzig for the ninth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 29 July 1725.
Bach set a text by Salomo Franck, a librettist with whom he had worked in Weimar. The text, which Franck had published in 1715, uses the prescribed reading from the Gospel of Luke, the parable of the Unjust Steward, as a starting point for thoughts about the debt of sin and its "payment", using monetary terms. He concluded the text with a stanza from Bartholomäus Ringwaldt's hymn "{{langr|de|Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut}}". Bach structured the cantata in six movements and scored it intimately, as he did for many of Franck's works, for four vocal parts, combined only in the chorale, two oboes d'amore, strings and basso continuo. It is the first new composition in his third year as ''{{lang|de|Thomaskantor}}'' in Leipzig. {{TOC limit|3}}
== History and words ==
Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity as the first cantata of his third cantata cycle, being the first new composition in his third year as ''{{lang|de|Thomaskantor}}'' in Leipzig.<ref name="Wolff" /> The libretto is by Salomon Franck who was a court poet in Weimar. Bach had often set Franck's texts when he was ''Konzertmeister'' (concertmaster) there from 1714 to 1717. Franck published the text of {{lang|de|Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort}} in 1715 as part of the collection {{lang|de|Evangelisches Andachts-Opffer}}, and Bach would probably have used at the time had it not been for a period of mourning for Prince Johann Ernst of Saxe-Weimar.<ref name="Wolff" />
The prescribed readings for the Sunday were from the First Epistle to the Corithians, a warning of false gods and consolation in temptation ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Corinthians|chapter=10|verse=6|range=–13}}), and from the Gospel of Luke, the parable of the Unjust Steward ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Luke|chapter=16|verse=1|range=–9}}). Franck's text is closely related to the Gospel, beginning with a paraphrase of verse 2 in the opening aria. The situation of the unjust servant is generalized; he is seen wanting mountains and hills to fall on his back, as mentioned in {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Luke|chapter=23|verse=30}}. Franck uses explicit monetary terms to speak about the debt, such as "{{langr|de|Kapital und Interessen}}" (capital and interest). A turning point is reached in the fourth movement, referring to the death of Jesus which "crossed out the debt". The cantata is concluded by the eighth stanza of Bartholomäus Ringwaldt's hymn "{{langr|de|Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut}}" (1588).<ref name="Dürr" /><ref name="chorale text" /> Bach had treated the complete chorale a year before in his chorale cantata ''Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut'', BWV 113, for the eleventh Sunday after Trinity.
Bach first performed the cantata on 29 July 1725.<ref name="Dürr" />
== Music == === Structure and scoring === Bach structured the cantata in six movements and scored it intimately, as he did for many of Franck's works. The singers consist of four vocal soloists (soprano (S), alto (A), tenor (T), and bass) (B) plus a four-part choir only in the chorale. The instrumental parts are for two oboes d'amore (Oa), two violins (Vl), viola (Va) and basso continuo (Bc).<ref name="Bischof" /> The title of the autograph score reads: "9 post Trinit. / Thue Rechnung! Donner Wort / a / 4 Voci / 2 Hautb. d'Amour / 2 Violini / Viola / e / Continuo / di / J.S.Bach".<ref name="Grob" /> The duration is given as 17 minutes.<ref name="Dürr-Jones" />
In the following table of the movements, the scoring and keys and time signatures are taken from Alfred Dürr, using the symbol for common time (4/4).<ref name="Dürr-Jones" /> The instruments are shown separately for winds and strings, while the continuo, playing throughout, is not shown.
{{Classical movement header | show_text_source = yes | work = ''Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort'' | instruments1 = Winds | instruments2 = Strings }} {{Classical movement row | number = 1 | title = {{langr|de|Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort}} | text_source = Franck | type = Aria | vocal = B | instruments1 = | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = {{nowrap|B minor}} | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 2 | title = {{langr|de|Es ist nur fremdes Gut}} | text_source = Franck | type = Recitative | vocal = T | instruments1 = 2Oa | instruments2 = | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 3 | title = {{langr|de|Kapital und Interessen}} | text_source = Franck | type = Aria | vocal = T | instruments1 = 2Oa (unis.) | instruments2 = | key = {{nowrap|F-sharp minor}} | time = {{music|time|3|8}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 4 | title = {{langr|de|Jedoch, erschrocknes Herz, leb und verzage nicht}} | text_source = Franck | type = Recitative | vocal = B | instruments1 = | instruments2 = | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 5 | title = {{langr|de|Herz, zerreiß des Mammons Kette}} | text_source = Franck | type = Aria | vocal = S A | instruments1 = | instruments2 = | key = E minor | time = {{music|time|6|8}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 6 | title = {{langr|de|Stärk mich mit deinem Freudengeist}} | text_source = Ringwaldt | type = Chorale | vocal = SATB | instruments1 = 2Oa | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = B minor | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{End}}
=== Movements === ==== 1 ==== The work opens with a bass aria, accompanied by the strings, "{{langr|de|Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort}}" (Settle account! Word of thunder).<ref name="Dellal" /> Christoph Wolff notes: {{blockquote|Bach translates Franck's baroque poetry into an extraordinarily gripping musical form. The virtuoso string writing in the opening aria prepares and then underscores the emphatically articulated "word of thunder, that can shatter even the rocks"<ref name="Dellal" /> ("{{langr|de|Donnerwort, das die Felsen selbst zerspaltet}}"), and which causes the blood to "run cold" ("{{langr|de|Blut erkaltet}}").<ref name="Wolff" />}}
==== 2 ==== The recitative, "{{langr|de|Es ist nur fremdes Gut}}" (It is only an alien good)<ref name="Dellal" /> is the first movement with the full orchestra.<ref name="Wolff" /> The oboes first play long chords, but finally illustrate the text figuratively, speaking of toppling mountains and "the flash of His countenance". The musicologist Julian Mincham notes that Bach's recitative is "both melodic and dramatic throughout", showing his familiarity with "the best contemporary operatic styles".<ref name="Mincham" />
==== 3 ==== A tenor aria with the oboes in unison develops "{{langr|de|Kapital und Interessen}}" (Capital and interest).<ref name="Dellal" /> Klaus Hofmann calls the movement dance-like.<ref name="Hofmann" />
==== 4 ==== A secco recitative for bass demands: "{{langr|de|Jedoch, erschrocknes Herz, leb und verzage nicht!}}" (Nevertheless, terrified heart, live and do not despair!).<ref name="Dellal" />
==== 5 ==== A duet of the upper voices, only accompanied by the continuo, reflects "{{langr|de|Herz, zerreiß des Mammons Kette}}" (Heart, rend the chains of Mammon).<ref name="Dellal" /> Hofmann notes the dotted rhythm of the dance Canarie to the often canonic imitation of the voices. The word "zerreiß" (tear asunder) is depicted by a rest afterwards. The fetters (Kette) are illustrated with "slurred coloraturas", the term "Sterbebett" (deathbed) appears in "darkening of the harmony."<ref name="Hofmann" />
==== 6 ==== The closing chorale, "{{langr|de|Stärk mich mit deinem Freudengeist}}" (Strengthen me with Your joyful Spirit),<ref name="Dellal" /><ref name="chorale melody" /> is a four-part setting.<ref name="Dürr" /><ref name="Mincham" />
===Publication=== Besides Bach's autograph score, there are original performing parts copied by Bach's circle.
The cantata was first published in 1887 in a volume edited by Franz Wüllner, part of the first complete edition of the works of Bach, Joh. Seb. Bach's Werke.
== Recordings == The listing is taken from the selection on the Bach Cantatas Website.<ref name="Oron" /> Ensembles playing period instruments in historically informed performance are marked by green background.
{{Cantata discography header|work=''Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort'' |show_orchestra_type=yes }}
{{Cantata discography row | id = Rilling | title = {{lang|de|Die Bach Kantate Vol. 45}} | conductor = {{sortname|Helmuth|Rilling}} | choir = Gächinger Kantorei | orchestra = Bach-Collegium Stuttgart | soloists = {{plainlist| * Nancy Burns * Verena Gohl * Theo Altmeyer * Siegmund Nimsgern }} | label = Hänssler | year = {{Start date|1970}} | orchestra_type = }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Harnoncourt | title = ''J. S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk · Complete Cantatas · Les Cantates, Folge / Vol. 39 – BWV 164–169'' | conductor = {{sortname|Nikolaus|Harnoncourt}} | choir = Tölzer Knabenchor | orchestra = Leonhardt-Consort | soloists = {{plainlist| * soloists of the Tölzer Knabenchor * Kurt Equiluz * Robert Holl }} | label = Telefunken | year = {{Start date|1987}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Leusink | title = ''Bach Edition Vol. 8 – Cantatas Vol. 3'' | conductor = {{sortname|Pieter Jan|Leusink}} | choir = Holland Boys Choir | orchestra = {{nowrap|Netherlands Bach Collegium}} | soloists = {{plainlist| * Ruth Holton * Sytse Buwalda * Knut Schoch * Bas Ramselaar }} | label = Brilliant Classics | year = {{Start date|1999}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Gardiner | title = ''J. S. Bach: Trinity Cantatas I'' | conductor = {{sortname|John Eliot|Gardiner}} | choir = Monteverdi Choir | orchestra = English Baroque Soloists | soloists = {{plainlist| * Katharine Fuge * Daniel Taylor * James Gilchrist * Peter Harvey }} | label = Archiv Produktion | year = {{Start date|2000}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Koopman | title = ''J. S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 15'' | conductor = {{sortname|Ton|Koopman}} | choir = Amsterdam Baroque Choir | orchestra = Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra | soloists = {{plainlist| * Johannette Zomer * Bogna Bartosz * {{nowrap|Christoph Prégardien}} * Klaus Mertens }} | label = Antoine Marchand | year = 2002 | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Suzuki | title = ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 40 – Cantatas from Leipzig 1724 - BWV 79, 137, 164, 168'' | conductor = {{sortname|Masaaki|Suzuki}} | orchestra = Bach Collegium Japan | soloists = {{plainlist| * Yukari Nonoshita, Robin Blaze * Makoto Sakurada * Peter Kooy }} | label = BIS | year = {{Start date|2007}} | orchestra_type = Period }}
{{End}}
== References == {{reflist | 30em | refs =
<ref name="Bischof">{{cite web | last = Bischof | first = Walter F. | url = https://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/168.html | title = BWV 168 Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort | publisher = University of Alberta | access-date = 1 August 2015 }}</ref>
<ref name="Dellal">{{cite web | last = Dellal | first = Pamela | author-link = Pamela Dellal | url = https://www.emmanuelmusic.org/bach-translations/bwv-168 | title = BWV 168 – "Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort" | publisher = Emmanuel Music | access-date = 7 September 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Dürr">{{cite book | last = Dürr | first = Alfred | author-link = Alfred Dürr | title = Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach | year = 1981 | publisher = Deutscher Taschenbuchverlag | isbn = 3-423-04080-7 | volume = 1 | edition = 4 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/diekantatenvonjo0002durr/page/395 395–397] | language = de | url = https://archive.org/details/diekantatenvonjo0002durr/page/395 }}</ref>
<ref name="Dürr-Jones">{{cite book | last = Dürr | first = Alfred | author-link = Alfred Dürr | others = Translated by Richard D. P. Jones | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA473 | title = The Cantatas of J. S. Bach: With Their Librettos in German-English Parallel Text | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 2006 | pages = 473–478 | isbn = 978-0-19-929776-4 }}</ref>
<ref name="Grob">{{cite web | last = Grob | first = Jochen | url = http://www.s-line.de/homepages/bachdiskographie/textkangeist/bwv168text.html | title = BWV 168 / BC A 116 | publisher = s-line.de | year = 2014 | language = de | access-date = 29 July 2015 }}</ref>
<ref name="Hofmann">{{cite web | last = Hofmann | first = Klaus | author-link = Klaus Hofmann | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Suzuki-C40c%5BBIS-SACD1671%5D.pdf | title = Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort / (Give an Account! Thunderous Word), BWV 168 | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | pages = 6–7 | year = 2007 | access-date = 1 August 2015 }}</ref>
<ref name="Mincham">{{cite web | last = Mincham | first = Julian | url = https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-2-bwv-168-l | title = Chapter 2 BWV 168 Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort! / Make Reckoning! Oh thunderous word! | year = 2010 | publisher = jsbachcantatas.com | access-date = 7 September 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Oron">{{cite web | last = Oron | first = Aryeh | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV168.htm | title = Cantata BWV 168 Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | access-date = 1 August 2015 }}</ref>
<ref name="Wolff">{{cite web | last = Wolff | first = Christoph | author-link = Christoph Wolff | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Koopman-C15c%5BAM-3CD%5D.pdf | title = The transition between the second and the third yearly cycle of Bach's Leipzig cantatas (1725) | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | access-date = 15 August 2011 }}</ref>
<ref name="chorale text">{{cite web | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale008-Eng3.htm | title = Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut / Text and Translation of Chorale | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | year = 2006 | access-date = 15 August 2011 }}</ref>
<ref name="chorale melody">{{cite web | url = https://www.bach-cantatas.com/CM/Herr-Jesu-Christ-du-hochstes.htm | title = Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | year = 2006 | access-date = 15 August 2011 }}</ref>
}}
== External links == * [https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-168/ Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort, BWV 168]: performance by the Netherlands Bach Society (video and background information) * {{IMSLP2|work=Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort, BWV 168 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)|cname=Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort, BWV 168}} * [https://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000203?lang=en Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort BWV 168; BC A 116 / Sacred cantata (9th Sunday after Trinity)] Bach Digital * [https://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV168.html BWV 168 Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort] English translation, University of Vermont * Luke Dahn: [http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0168_6.htm BWV 168.6] bach-chorales.com
{{Bach's third cantata cycle and later}} {{Bach cantatas}}
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Category:Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach Category:1725 compositions Category:Libretti by Salomon Franck