{{Short description|Church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach}} {{good article}} {{Infobox Bach composition | title = {{lang|de|Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch}} | bwv = 86 | type = Church cantata | image = Thomaskirche-1885.png | caption = Thomaskirche, Leipzig | occasion = {{langr|la|Rogate}} (fifth Sunday after Easter) | performed = {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1724|05|14|df=y}}|location=Leipzig}} | movements = 6 | bible = {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=John|chapter=16|verse=23}} | chorale = {{plainlist| * {{based on|"{{langr|de|Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn}}"|Georg Grünwald}} * {{based on|"{{langr|de|Es ist das Heil uns kommen her}}"|Paul Speratus}}" }} | vocal = {{plainlist| * solo: alto, tenor and bass * {{abbr|SATB|soprano, alto, tenor and bass}} choir }} | instrumental = {{hlist | 2 oboes d'amore | 2 violins | viola | continuo }} }} '''{{Lang|de|Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch}}''' (Truly, truly I say to you),<ref name="Dellal" /> '''{{abbr|BWV|Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (catalogue of Bach's works)}}{{nbsp}}86''', is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for {{Langr|la|Rogate}}, the fifth Sunday after Easter, and first performed it on 14 May 1724.
An unknown poet began the text with a quotation from the Farewell Discourse of Jesus. He used a stanza of Georg Grünwald's hymn "{{langr|de|Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn}}" in movement 3 and as the closing chorale a stanza from "{{langr|de|Es ist das Heil uns kommen her}}" by Paul Speratus (1524). Bach structured the cantata in six movements, a gospel quotation in the beginning, chorales as movements 3 and 6, otherwise recitatives and arias. He scored it for three vocal soloists, a four-part choir and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of two oboes d'amore, strings and continuo.
{{TOC limit|3}}
== History and words ==
Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig in his first annual cycle as ''Thomaskantor'' for the Fifth Sunday after Easter, called Rogate.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}} The prescribed readings for the Sunday were from the Epistle of James, "doers of the word, not only listeners" ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=James|chapter=1|verse=22|range=–27}}) and from the Gospel of John, from the Farewell Discourses of Jesus, prayers will be fulfilled ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=John|chapter=16|verse=23|range=–30}}).{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}} The theme of the cantata is a quotation from the gospel at the beginning, the promise of Jesus "Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give you". An unknown poet used as movement 3 the 16th stanza of Georg Grünwald hymn "{{langr|de|Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn}}" (1530), and as the closing chorale the eleventh stanza of "{{langr|de|Es ist das Heil uns kommen her}}" by Paul Speratus (1524).<ref name="Wolff" /> The poet hints at the question how the promise can be understood looking at the reality of life. In movement 2 he uses the image of a rose with thorns to illustrate two conflicting aspects. In movements 3 and 4 he confirms the promise which has to be seen in the perspective of time. Movement 5 refers to the waiting for a promise being kept, and the closing chorale assures that God knows the right time.<ref name="Dürr" /> The structure of the six movements – a gospel quotation in the beginning, chorales as movements 3 and 6, the sequence of recitative and arias – is similar to {{Lang|de|''Wo gehest du hin?'' BWV 166 |italic=unset}}, first performed one week earlier.<ref name="Bischof 166" />
Bach first performed the cantata on 14 May 1724.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}<ref name="Dürr" />
== Music == === Structure and scoring ===
Bach structured the cantata in six movements, beginning with a biblical quotation for the ''vox Christi'', Jesus speaking. An aria is followed by a chorale for the soprano, a set of recitative and aria, and the closing chorale, the only movement for choir. Bach scored the work for three vocal soloists (alto, tenor, bass), a four-part choir and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of two oboes d'amore (Oa), two violins (Vl), viola (Va) and basso continuo.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2024}}<ref name="Bischof" />
In the following table of the movements, the scoring follows the Neue Bach-Ausgabe. The keys and time signatures are taken from Alfred Dürr, using the symbol for common time (4/4).<ref name="Dürr" /> The continuo, playing throughout, is not shown.
{{Classical movement header | show_text_source = yes | work = ''Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch'' | instruments1 = Oboe | instruments2 = Strings }}
{{Classical movement row | id = m1 | number = 1 | title = {{langr|de|Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch}} | text_source = {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=John|chapter=16|verse=23}} | type = Aria | vocal = B | instruments1 = | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = E major | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m2 | number = 2 | title = {{langr|de|Ich will doch wohl Rosen brechen}} | text_source = anon. | type = Aria | vocal = A | instruments1 = | instruments2 = Vl | key = {{nowrap|A major}} | time = 3/4 }} {{Classical movement row | id = m3 | number = 3 | title = {{langr|de|Und was der ewig gütig Gott}} | text_source = Grünwald | type = Chorale | vocal = S | instruments1 = 2Oa | instruments2 = | key = F-sharp minor | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m4 | number = 4 | title = {{langr|de|Gott macht es nicht gleichwie die Welt}} | text_source = anon. | type = Recitative | vocal = T | instruments1 = | instruments2 = | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m5 | number = 5 | title = {{langr|de|Gott hilft gewiß}} | text_source = anon. | type = Aria | vocal = T | instruments1 = | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = E major | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m6 | number = 6 | title = {{langr|de|Die Hoffnung wart' der rechten Zeit}} | text_source = Speratus | type = Chorale | vocal = SATB | instruments1 = (2Oa) | instruments2 = (2Vl Va) | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{End}}
=== Movements ===
==== 1 ==== The gospel quotation, "{{langr|de|Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, so ihr den Vater etwas bitten werdet in meinem Namen, so wird er's euch geben.}}" (Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My name, so will it be given to you.),<ref name="Dellal" /> is given to the bass as the {{lang|la|vox Christi}}, the voice of Jesus.<ref name="Hofmann" /><ref name="Quinn" /> The instruments, strings probably doubled by oboe d'amore, introduce vocal motifs which the voice picks up. The bass sings the text three times, while the instruments continue playing the same motifs.<ref name="Dürr" /> Julian Mincham observes: "The richness of the text, the unobtrusive nature of the melodic ideas and the gently flowing rhythms combine to create an appropriate atmosphere of dignified restraint".<ref name="Mincham" />
==== 2 ==== In the alto aria, "{{langr|de|Ich will doch wohl Rosen brechen}}" (I will yet indeed pluck roses),<ref name="Dellal" /> the voice is accompanied by the strings and a violin obbligato in virtuoso figuration, which may illustrate the heavenly light promised as the final fulfillment.<ref name="Mincham" /> John Eliot Gardiner, who conducted the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage in 2000, interprets the solo violin's motif as an image of plucking a rose, and notes that the solo violin is silent when fulfillment is reached ("For He has pledged His word").<ref name="Gardiner" />
==== 3 ==== In the chorale, "{{langr|de|Und was der ewig gültig Gott in seinem Wort versprochen hat}}" (And whatever the eternally merciful God has promised with His word),<ref name="Dellal" /> the unadorned cantus firmus in the soprano is embedded in a trio of the two oboes d'amore and the continuo.<ref name="Wolff" /> Gardiner suggests that the oboes' music may illustrate the "stratospheric circling of the angelic host" which the hymn text refers to.<ref name="Mincham" />
==== 4 ==== In a short tenor recitative for tenor, "{{langr|de|Gott macht es nicht gleichwie die Welt, die viel verspricht und wenig hält}}" (God does not do as the world does, that promises much and upholds little),<ref name="Dellal" /> the musicologist Julian Mincham notes "a moment of harsh severity in the melody at the mention of the world′s failings".<ref name="Mincham" />
==== 5 ==== In the tenor aria, "{{langr|de|Gott hilft gewiß; wird gleich die Hilfe aufgeschoben}}" (God helps indeed; even if that help is delayed),<ref name="Dellal" /> a motif on the first line is introduced by the violin, repeated by the voice, and repeated several times.<ref name="Mincham" />
==== 6 ==== The closing chorale, "{{langr|de|Die Hoffnung wart' der rechten Zeit}}" (Hope awaits the right time),<ref name="Dellal" /> is set for four parts.<ref name="Dürr" />
== Recordings == The selection is taken from the listing on the Bach Cantatas Website.<ref name="Oron" /> Choirs with one voice per part (OVPP) and instrumental groups playing period instruments in historically informed performances are markeded green.
=== Complete cycles ===
{{Cantata discography header | work=Complete cycles | show_choir_type=yes | instruments={{abbr|Instr.|Type of instruments}} }}
{{Cantata discography row | id = Harnoncourt | title = ''J. S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk • Complete Cantatas • Les Cantates, Folge / Vol. 5'' | conductor = {{sortname|Nikolaus|Harnoncourt}} | choir = Tölzer Knabenchor | orchestra = Concentus Musicus Wien | soloists = {{plainlist| * soloist of the Tölzer Knabenchor * Paul Esswood * Kurt Equiluz * Ruud van der Meer }} | label = Teldec | year = {{Start date|1979}} | choir_type = | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Rilling | title = {{lang|de|Die Bach Kantate Vol. 34}} | conductor = {{sortname|Helmuth|Rilling}} | choir = Gächinger Kantorei | orchestra = Bach-Collegium Stuttgart | soloists = {{plainlist| * Arleen Augér * Helen Watts * Adalbert Kraus * Walter Heldwein }} | label = Hänssler | year = {{Start date|1979}} | choir_type = | orchestra_type = }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Koopman | title = ''J. S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 9'' | conductor = {{sortname|Ton|Koopman}} | orchestra = Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir | soloists = {{plainlist| * Sibylla Rubens * Bernhard Landauer * Christoph Prégardien * Klaus Mertens }} | label = Antoine Marchand | year = {{Start date|1998}} | choir_type = | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Gardiner | title = ''Bach Cantatas Vol. 25: Altenburg/Warwick'' | conductor = {{sortname|John Eliot|Gardiner}} | choir = Monteverdi Choir | orchestra = English Baroque Soloists | soloists = {{plainlist| * Katharine Fuge * Robin Tyson * Steve Davisilim * Stephan Loges }} | label = Soli Deo Gloria | year = {{Start date|2000}} | choir_type = | orchestra_type = Period }}
{{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| * Yukari Nonoshita * Robin Blaze * Makoto Sakurada * Stephan MacLeod }} | label = BIS | year = {{Start date|2001}} | choir_type = | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Kuijken | title = ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas Bwv 108, 86, 11, 44''<ref name="Ritter" /> | conductor = {{sortname|Sigiswald|Kuijken}} | choir = | orchestra = La Petite Bande | soloists = {{plainlist| * Siri Thornhill * Petra Noskaiová * Christoph Genz * {{nowrap|Jan van der Crabben}} }} | label = Accent | year = {{Start date|2010}} | choir_type = OVPP | orchestra_type = Period }} {{End}}
== References == {{reflist | 30em | refs =
<ref name="Bischof">{{cite web | last = Bischof | first = Walter F. | url = http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/86.html | title = BWV 86 Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch | publisher = University of Alberta | access-date = 26 April 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="Bischof 166">{{cite web | last = Bischof | first = Walter F. | url = http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/166.html | title = BWV 166 Wo gehest du hin? | publisher = University of Alberta | access-date = 13 June 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="Dellal">{{cite web | last = Dellal | first = Pamela | author-link = Pamela Dellal | url = https://www.emmanuelmusic.org/bach-translations/bwv-86 | title = BWV 86 – Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch | publisher = Emmanuel Music | access-date = 24 August 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Dürr">{{cite book | last = Dürr | first = Alfred | author-link = Alfred Dürr | others = Translated by Richard D. P. Jones | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA320 | chapter = Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86 | title = The Cantatas of J. S. Bach: With Their Librettos in German-English Parallel Text | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 2006 | pages = 320–322 | isbn = 978-0-19-929776-4 }}</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_SDG144 | title = Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) / Cantatas Nos 44, 86, 87, 97, 150 & 183 | publisher = Soli Deo Gloria (at Hyperion Records website) | year = 2008 | access-date = 23 May 2019 }}</ref>
<ref name="Hofmann">{{cite web | last = Hofmann | first = Klaus | author-link = Klaus Hofmann | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Suzuki-C19c[BIS-CD1261].pdf | title = Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch (Verily, verily, I say unto you), BWV 86 | publisher = Bach-Cantatas | page = 8 | year = 2001 | access-date = 1 May 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="Mincham">{{cite web | last = Mincham | first = Julian | url = https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-54-bwv-86 | title = Chapter 54 BWV 86 Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch / Truly, truly I say to you. | year = 2010 | publisher = jsbachcantatas | access-date = 24 August 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Oron">{{cite web | last = Oron | first = Aryeh | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV86.htm | title = Cantata BWV 86 Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | access-date = 26 April 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="Quinn">{{cite web | last = Quinn | first = John | url = http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=200800&album_group=14 | title = Bach: Cantatas Vol 25 / Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists | publisher = arkivmusic | year = 2008 | access-date = 24 May 2011 | archive-date = 3 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121003181149/http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=200800&album_group=14 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Ritter">{{cite web | last = Ritter | first = Steven E. | url = http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=491726 | title = Bach: Cantatas Bwv 108, 86, 11, 44 / Kuijken, Le Petite Band | year = 2010 | access-date = 24 May 2011 | publisher = arkivmusic | archive-date = 3 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121003180945/http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=491726 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Wolff">{{cite web | last = Wolff | first = Christoph | author-link = Christoph Wolff | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Koopman-C08-1c%5BErato-3CD%5D.pdf | title = "Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch" BWV 8 | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | year = 1998 | page = 9 | access-date = 1 May 2016 }}</ref>
}} === Cited sources === * {{cite web | url = http://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000110?lang=en | title = Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch BWV 86; BC A 73 | publisher = Bach Digital | date = 2024 | access-date = 3 May 2024 | ref = {{sfnref|Bach Digital|2024}} }}
== External links ==
* {{IMSLP|work=Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)}} * [http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV86.html BWV 86 Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch]: English translation, University of Vermont * Luke Dahn: [http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0086_6.htm BWV 86.6] bach-chorales.com * [http://allofbach.com/en/bwv/bwv-86/ Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86]: performance by the Netherlands Bach Society (video and background information)
{{Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach}} {{Bach cantatas}} {{Authority control}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch'', BWV 86}} Category:Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach Category:1724 compositions