 | Bach, Johann Sebastian - Aria: "Blast die Wohlgegriffnen Flöten" for Flute Quartet BWV 214 No. 3 Flute Quartet |
| Composer : | Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685 - 1750) | ||||
| Instrumentation : | Flute Quartet | ||||
| Style : | Baroque | ||||
| Arranger : | MAGATAGAN, MICHAEL (1960 - ) | ||||
| Publisher : | MAGATAGAN, MICHAEL | ||||
| Copyright : | Public Domain | ||||
| Added by magataganm, 14 Sep 2013 Johann Sebastian Bach was better known as a virtuoso organist than as a composer in his day. His sacred music, organ and choral works, and other instrumental music had an enthusiasm and seeming freedom that concealed immense rigor. Bach's use of counterpoint was brilliant and innovative, and the immense complexities of his compositional style -- which often included religious and numerological symbols that seem to fit perfectly together in a profound puzzle of special codes -- still amaze musicians today. Many consider him the greatest composer of all time. Cantata 214 "Tönet, ihr Pauken! Erschallet, Trompeten!" ("Sound, you drums! Ring out, you trumpets!") is subtitled "Dramma per musica," and was written for the birthday of the Electress of Saxon, who was also Queen of Poland, and was performed on December 8, 1733. It calls for one of the largest performing forces of any Bach cantata: Soprano, alto, tenor and bass solos, full chorus, and a large orchestra for the time. The author of the text is unknown. The four singers portray the allegorical figures of Bellona, Pallas, Irene, and Fama. The opening chorus is accompanied by the full orchestra, which naturally enough includes drums and trumpets to add to the call of "Long Live the Queen!" The Queen is extolled as the protectress of the Muses in her lands; the voices of youths pledge to stand ready with their weapons as part of the splendid display. Similar praise continues. A final recitative proclaims that her fame shall spread to all lands, and the final chorus bids the trees to bloom in her honor, and wishes her long live. In other words, this cantata, splendid though it is musically, is an extended bit of sucking up, but that was life in the eighteenth century. Later, Bach put much of the music of this cantata to more exalted use as part of his "Christmas Oratorio." "Blast die wohlgegriffnen Flöten" ("Blow the firmly held flutes") is the third Aria of the Cantata BWV 214 and, although originally written for Flutes (2), Soprano and Continuo, I created this arrangement for Flute Quartet (Flutes (3) & Alto Flute). Sheet central : | Tönet, ihr Pauken! Erschallet, Trompeten! (7 sheet music) | | |||
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