Bach: Sheep May Safely Graze for Alto Flute & Piano Quartet by Johann Sebastian Bach Flute Solo - Digital Sheet Music

Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd (The lively hunt is all my heart's desire), BWV 208 is the earliest secular cantata by Bach composed in 1713 for the birthday of the Duke of Weissenfels. It is also called the Hunting Cantata, and/or the Birthday Cantata. The most famous piece from this collection is the soprano aria "Sheep may safely graze." Duration: 5:50, Score - 6 pg. Solo part - 2 pg. Piano part - 3 pg. 41 ms. Melodic range: M10. Level: Early intermediate and up. A popular choice for weddings, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, and recitals.

Sheep May Safely Graze

Sheep may safely graze (Schafe können sicher weiden) is an aria from the Cantata BWV 208. The title of the Cantata, Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd (nicknamed the Hunting Cantata) translates as The lively hunt is all my heart's desire.

Programming

Similar to Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, or I Stand at the Threshold, it is an all-time favorite and frequently requested at weddings. Originally, Bach composed this aria for a royal birthday celebration, that of the Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels.

Lyrics

Sheep may safely graze and pasture

In a watchful Shepherd’s sight.

Those who rule with wisdom guiding

Bring to hearts a peace abiding

Bless a land with joy made bright.

Bach Overview

First of all, Johann Sebastian Bach is maybe the greatest composer in music history. Indeed, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. People are probably most familiar with instrumental works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations. But, similarly famous are such noteworthy works as the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Musical Offering, and the Art of Fugue. Seems like his most famous vocal works include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, most noteworthy, though, are the St. John Passion, and certainly the Christmas Oratorio.

History

Bach came from a long line of musicians and above all, composers. Consequently, he, first of all, pursued a career as a church organist. So as a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. For a while, he worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen. Here he probably developed his organ style and likewise his chamber music style. Eventually, he, therefore, gained an appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Here he worked until difficulties with his employer ultimately drove him away. The King of Poland finally appointed him as court composer.

Style

It seems like Bach created a fascinating new international style. He synthesized elements of the most noteworthy European music ideas into his new style. Even more, this new style was probably his synthesis of European musical rhythm and form. Furthermore, he demonstrated a complete mastery of counterpoint and motivic development. His sense of harmonic organization probably propelled him to the top.

Revival

Mendelssohn conducted a Bach revival in the nineteenth century. His effort probably helped to re-familiarize the public with the magnitude of Bach’s works. During this period, scholars published many noteworthy Bach biographies. Moreover, Wolfgang Schmieder published the BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis). As a result, this is now the official catalog of his entire artistic output. The BWV number allows us to locate a work in the catalog. Sometimes scholars will simply use an "S" (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for "BWV".