{{Short description|Church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach}} {{Infobox musical composition | name = {{lang|de|Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist}} | bwv = 45 | type = Church cantata | image = Thomaskirche-1885.png | caption = Thomaskirche, Leipzig | translation = It has been told to you, man, what is good | occasion = {{nowrap|Eighth Sunday after Trinity}} | performed = {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1726|08|11|df=y}}|location=Leipzig}} | movements = 7 in two parts | composer = Johann Sebastian Bach | bible = {{plainlist| * {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Micah|chapter=6|verse=8}} * {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=7|verse=22}} }} | chorale = by Johann Heermann | vocal = {{plainlist| * {{abbr|SATB|soprano, alto, tenor and bass}} choir * Solo: alto, tenor and bass }} | instrumental = {{hlist | 2 flauti traversi | 2 oboes | 2 violins | viola | continuo }} }} '''{{lang|de|Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist}}''' (It has been told to you, man, what is good),<ref name="Dellal" /> '''{{abbr|BWV|Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (catalogue of Bach's works)}}{{nbsp}}45''' is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the eighth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 11 August 1726.
== History and words ==
Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity.<ref name="Dürr" /> It is part of his third cantata cycle.<ref name="Wolff" />
The prescribed readings for the Sunday are from the Epistle to the Romans, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Romans|chapter=8|verse=12|range=–17}}), and from the Gospel of Matthew, the warning of false prophets from the Sermon on the Mount ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=7|verse=15|range=–23}}). Here and in {{lang|de|''Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden'', BWV 88 |italic=unset}}, composed three weeks before, the text is similar in structure and content to cantatas of Johann Ludwig Bach. The text is attributed to Ernst Ludwig, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, published in a 1705 collection.<ref name="Wolff" /> The poet chose for the opening a verse of the prophet Micah, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Micah|chapter=6|verse=8}}), which is related to the famous saying of Jesus "Ye shall know them by their fruits", and "but he that doeth the will of my Father" from the Gospel. The poet connected to the image of the servant as mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Luke|chapter=12|verse=42|range=–47}} and {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Luke|chapter=16|verse=1|range=–9}}. The central movement, opening the second part (marked {{lang|it|Parte seconda}}) to be performed after the sermon, is a quotation of {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=7|verse=22|range=}}, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?". The following aria is a paraphrase of {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=10|verse=32}}. The cantata is closed by the second stanza of Johann Heermann's hymn "O Gott, du frommer Gott" (1630).<ref name="Dürr" /><ref name="chorale text" /> The cantata is a symmetrical structure around the central Gospel quotation, beginning with the Old Testament and leading to the chorale.
Bach first performed the cantata on 11 August 1726.<ref name="Dürr" />
== Scoring and structure ==
The cantata in seven movements is scored for three vocal soloists (alto, tenor, and bass), a four-part choir, two flauti traversi, two oboes, two violins, viola and basso continuo.<ref name="Dürr" /> {{Classical movement header | show_text_source = no | work = '' Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist'', BWV 45, Part I| instruments1 = Winds | instruments2 = Strings}} {{Classical movement row | number = 1 | title = {{lang|de|Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist}} | type = Chorus | vocal = SATB | instruments1 = 2Fl, 2Ob | instruments2 = 2Vl, Va, Bc | key = E major | time = {{music|cut-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 2 | title = {{lang|de|Der Höchste läßt mich seinen Willen wissen}} | type = Recitative | vocal = Tenor | instruments1 = | instruments2 = Bc | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 3 | title = {{lang|de|Weiß ich Gottes Rechte}} | type = Aria | vocal = Tenor | instruments1 = | instruments2 = 2Vl, Va, Bc | key = C♯ minor | time = 3/8 }}{{End}} {{Classical movement header | show_text_source = no | work = '' Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist'', BWV 45, Part II| instruments1 = Winds | instruments2 = Strings}} {{Classical movement row | number = 4 | title = {{lang|de|Es werden viele zu mir sagen an jenem Tage}} | type = Arioso | vocal = Bass | instruments1 = | instruments2 = 2Vl, Va, Bc | key = A major | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 5 | title = {{lang|de|Wer Gott bekennt aus wahrem Herzensgrund}} | type = Aria | vocal = Alto | instruments1 = 1Fl | instruments2 = Bc | key = F♯ minor | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 6 | title = {{lang|de|So wird denn Herz und Mund selbst von mir Richter sein}} | type = Recitative | vocal = Alto | instruments1 = | instruments2 = Bc | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | number = 7 | title = {{lang|de|Gib, daß ich tu mit Fleiß}} | type = Chorale | vocal = SATB | instruments1 = 2Fl (col Soprano),<br>2Ob (col Soprano) | instruments2 = 1Vl (col Soprano),<br>1Vl (coll'Alto),<br>Va (col Tenore),<br>Bc | key = E major | time = {{music|common-time}} }}{{End}}
== Music ==
The opening chorus is a complex structure, beginning with an extended instrumental section, then alternating fugal sections with others in which the vocal parts are embedded in the orchestral concerto. The tenor aria, preceded by secco recitative, is of a dance-like character and is accompanied by the strings.<ref name="Dürr" />
The central movement, the quotation from the Gospel, is given to the bass as the {{lang|la|vox Christi}} (voice of Christ). Bach marks it ''Arioso'' and has the strings play in vivid movement, to passionately emphasize the words. The strings open the movement and repeat that music four times in different keys, the bass part showing bold leaps and rich coloraturas.<ref name="Dürr" /> John Eliot Gardiner observes:{{blockquote|The second part of the cantata opens with a movement for bass and strings marked arioso – deceptively so (it is Bach’s way of flagging up utterances by Christ in person as distinct from passages of indirect speech), as in truth this is a full blown, highly virtuosic aria, half Vivaldian concerto, half operatic scena.<ref name="Gardiner" />}}
The figuration is similar in the following alto aria, but mellow in the solo flute with continuo, matching the consoling words. Another secco recitative introduces the closing chorale on a melody by Ahasverus Fritsch,<ref name="chorale melody" /> set in four parts.<ref name="Dürr" />
== Recordings ==
* ''Bach Cantatas Vol. 4 – Sundays after Trinity I'', Karl Richter, Münchener Bach-Chor, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Hertha Töpper, Ernst Haefliger, Kieth Engen, Archiv Produktion 1959 * ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas No. 105 & No. 45'', Ernest Ansermet, Chœur Pro Arte de Lausanne, L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Helen Watts, Ian Partridge, Tom Krause, Decca 1966 * ''J. S. Bach: Kantaten BWV 45, BWV 176'', Helmuth Rilling, Gächinger Kantorei, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Norma Procter, Kurt Equiluz, Erich Wenk, Cantate 1967 * ''J. S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk – Sacred Cantatas Vol. 3'', Gustav Leonhardt, Knabenchor Hannover, Leonhardt-Consort, René Jacobs, Kurt Equiluz, Hanns-Friedrich Kunz, Teldec 1974 * ''Die Bach Kantate Vol. 45'', Helmuth Rilling, Gächinger Kantorei, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Julia Hamari, Aldo Baldin, Philippe Huttenlocher, Hänssler 1982 * ''Bach Edition Vol. 9 – Cantatas Vol. 4'', conductor Pieter Jan Leusink, Holland Boys Choir, Netherlands Bach Collegium, Sytse Buwalda, Knut Schoch, Bas Ramselaar, Brilliant Classics 1999 * ''Bach Cantatas Vol. 5: Rendsburg/Braunschweig / For the 8th Sunday after Trinity'', John Eliot Gardiner, Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, Robin Tyson, Christoph Genz, Brindley Sherratt, Archiv Produktion 2000 * ''J. S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 18'', Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Bogna Bartosz, Christoph Prégardien, Klaus Mertens, Antoine Marchand 2002 * ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 46 – Cantatas from Leipzig 1724'', Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan, Robin Blaze, Gerd Türk, Peter Kooy, BIS 2009
== References ==
{{reflist | 30em | refs =
<ref name="Dellal">{{cite web | last = Dellal | first = Pamela | author-link = Pamela Dellal | url = https://www.emmanuelmusic.org/bach-translations/bwv-45 | title = BWV 45 – Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist | publisher = Emmanuel Music | access-date = 20 August 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/385 385–387] | language = de | url = https://archive.org/details/diekantatenvonjo0002durr/page/385 }}</ref>
<ref name="Gardiner">{{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_SDG147b | title = Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) / Cantatas Nos 45, 46, 101, 102, 136 & 178 (Cantatas Vol 5) | publisher = Soli Deo Gloria (at Hyperion Records website) | year = 2008 | access-date = 11 August 2018 }}</ref>
<ref name="Wolff">{{cite web | last = Wolff | first = Christoph | author-link = Christoph Wolff | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Koopman-C18c%5BAM-3CD%5D.pdf | title = The third yearly cycle of Leipzig cantatas (1725–1727), III | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | year = 2008 | page = 13 | access-date = 9 August 2011 }}</ref>
<ref name="chorale text">{{cite web | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale013-Eng3.htm | title = O Gott, du frommer Gott / Text and Translation of Chorale | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | year = 2006 | access-date = 8 August 2011 }}</ref>
<ref name="chorale melody">{{cite web | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/CM/O-Gott-du-frommer-Gott.htm | title = Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / O Gott, du frommer Gott | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | year = 2006 | access-date = 9 August 2011 }}</ref> }}
== Sources == * {{DNB portal|300007280}} * {{IMSLP|work=Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)}} * [https://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000060?lang=en Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist BWV 45; BC A 113 / Sacred cantata (8th Sunday after Trinity)] Bach Digital * [https://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV45.htm Cantata BWV 45 Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist] history, scoring, sources for text and music, translations to various languages, discography, discussion, Bach Cantatas Website * [https://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV45.html BWV 45 Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist] English translation, University of Vermont * [https://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/45.html BWV 45 Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist] text, scoring, University of Alberta * [https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-21-bwv-45 Chapter 21 Bwv 45 – The Cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach] Julian Mincham, 2010 * Luke Dahn: [https://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0045_7.htm BWV 45.7] bach-chorales.com
== External links == * [https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-45/ Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45]: performance by the Netherlands Bach Society (video and background information)
{{Bach's third cantata cycle and later}} {{Bach cantatas}}
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Category:Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach Category:1726 compositions