Sheep may safely graze
"Sheep may safely graze"(‹See Tfd›German:Schafe können sicher weiden) is asopranoariabyJohann Sebastian Bachto words bySalomon Franck.The piece was written in 1713 and is part of thecantataWas mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd,BWV208 (Only the lively hunt pleases me), also known as theHunting Cantata.
Like Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring","Sheep may safely graze "is frequently played at weddings.[1]However, the cantata BWV 208 was originally written for a birthday celebration ofChristian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels.Bach was based at the nearby court ofWeimar,and musicians from both courts appear to have joined in the first performance inWeißenfels.Bach is known to have used the music again for other celebrations, but it remained unpublished until after his death.
Instrumentation
[edit]Bach had aBaroque instrumentalensemble at his disposal including two horns, an instrument associated with the hunt.[2] For this number (movement9 of the complete work), the singer is not accompanied by the full ensemble used elsewhere in the cantata, but by tworecordersandcontinuo.The use of flute-like instruments is typical ofpastoral music.
Since therevival of Bach's musicin the 19th century, "Sheep may safely graze" has been arranged for other instruments.
Text
[edit]| External audio | |
|---|---|
 "Sheep may safely graze",sung by sopranoElisabeth Schwarzkopfin 1954 – viaInternet Archive |
The piece's title evokes a pastoral scene and has been referenced in discussions of how European culture depicts domestic animals and sheep in particular.[3][4]
In the cantata, therecitativeand aria are sung by the role of theancient Roman godof shepherds, flocks, and livestock,Pales.Pales compares the peaceful life of sheep under a watchful shepherd to the inhabitants of a state with a wise ruler.[5][6] If not performed within the cantata, the recitative is omitted.
Schafe können sicher weiden
Wo ein guter Hirte wacht.
Wo Regenten wohl regieren
Kann man Ruh' und Friede spüren
Und was Länder glücklich macht.
Sheep can safely graze
where a good shepherd watches over them.
Where rulers are ruling well,
we may feel peace and rest
and what makes countries happy.
Recordings
[edit]The work has often been recorded. It can be found in:
- recordings of the complete cantata, for example:
- Bach: Secular Cantatas Vol. 2 (Hunting CantataplusDie Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht).Bach Collegium Japan,Joanne Lunn(soprano),Masaaki Suzuki(conductor).
- compilation albums, for example albums featuring the following soloists:
- Emma Kirkby(soprano), (Emma Kirkby Collection)[7]
- Magdalena Kožená(mezzo-soprano), (J. S. Bach: AriaswithMusica Florea)
- Danielle de Niese(soprano), (Beauty of Baroquewith theEnglish Concert)
- Nuria Rial(soprano), (Bach Ariaswith theKammerorchester Baseldirected byJulia Schröder).
Arrangements
[edit]
Keyboard
[edit]Piano
[edit]"Sheep may safely graze" wasarrangedfor piano by the American composerMary Howe.[8]Another notable piano transcription was made by Dutch pianistEgon Petri,published in 1944.[9]
Sometimes the piece is played as a duet (piano-four-hands); there are versions byDuo Petrof,[10]andLang LangandGina Redlinger(released as a bonus track with Lang Lang's recording of theGoldberg Variations).
Moog synthesiser
[edit]American composer and electronic musicianWendy Carlosarranged and recorded "Sheep may safely graze" on aMoog synthesizerfor her 1973 albumSwitched-On Bach II.
Band and orchestra
[edit]Australian-born composerPercy Graingerwrote "Blithe Bells" forelastic scoringin 1931 on Bach's "Sheep may safely graze".[11][12]In March 1931, he scored awind bandversion.[13]
The piece was arranged for string orchestra by British composerGranville Bantock.[14]There is also an orchestral arrangement by British composer SirWilliam Walton,part of the ballet scoreThe Wise Virgins.
References
[edit]- ^"A Bride's Guide: Sample Wedding Music Programme".Naxos.Retrieved13 August2016.
- ^van Boer, Jr.; Bertil H (April 1980). "Observations on Bach's Use of the Horn Part I".Bach.11(2): 21–28.JSTOR41640100.
- ^Gayford, Martin (14 August 2002)."Clouds over the rural idyll".The Daily Telegraph.London.Retrieved19 February2018.
Few words give as great a sense of reassurance as "and sheep may safely graze"
- ^Leith, Sam (2013)."Feral,by Geoge Monbiot – review: Sam Leith enjoys a vision of Britain where sheep may no longer safely graze ".The Spectator.Retrieved18 August2022.
- ^"Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd!".University of Alberta(text) (in German).Retrieved18 August2022.
- ^ "Cantata BWV 208Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd!English Translation [by Francis Browne] in Parallel Format ".Bach Cantatas Website(text).Retrieved21 February2023.
- ^"Emma Kirkby Collection".Gramophone.Retrieved14 May2018.
- ^Schafe können sicher weiden = Sheep may safely graze,transcribed for two pianos byMary Howe,Oxford University Press (1935)OCLC5061704ISBN978-0-19-372212-5
- ^Mark, Karsten (6 July 2008)."Klavierfestival Ruhr: Leon Fleisher spielt Bach".Dorstener Zeitung(in German). Dortmund.Retrieved24 September2020.
- ^"Shazam".Shazam.
- ^Blithe Bells (Grainger, Percy):Scores at theInternational Music Score Library Project
- ^"Blithe Bells".Schott Music(in German).Retrieved24 September2020.
- ^"Blithe Bells".Wind Repertory Project.3 March 2016.Retrieved24 September2020.
- ^"Bach-Bantock: Arrangements/Transcriptions of Bach's Works – Works".www.bach-cantatas.com.