View source for Gott ist unsre Zuversicht, BWV 197

'''{{lang|de|Gott ist unsre Zuversicht}}''' (God is our confidence), [[BWV]]&nbsp;197.2 (formerly '''BWV&nbsp;197'''),<ref>Work {{BDW|0244}} at [[Bach Digital]] website.</ref> is a [[Bach cantata|church cantata]] by [[Johann Sebastian Bach]].
== History and text ==
In 1728 in [[Leipzig]], Bach composed a [[Christmas cantata]], {{lang|de|[[BWV 197a|''Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe'', BWV 197.1]] |italic=unset}} (Glory be to God in the Highest), which he revised in 1736–37 into this wedding cantata. Movement 5 is a chorale stanza by [[Martin Luther]], the final movement is by [[Georg Neumark]]; the rest of the poetry is anonymous.<ref name=bc>{{cite web|url=http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV197.htm|title=Cantata BWV 197 Gott ist unsre Zuversicht|publisher=Bach Cantatas |access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref>
== Scoring and structure ==
The cantata is scored for three vocal soloists ([[soprano]], [[alto]], and [[bass (voice type)|bass]]), a [[SATB|four-part choir]], three [[trumpet]]s, [[timpani]], two [[oboe]]s, two [[oboe d'amore|oboes d'amore]], [[bassoon]], two [[violin]]s, [[viola]], and [[basso continuo]].<ref name=ab>{{cite web|url=http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/197.html|access-date=5 June 2013|publisher=University of Alberta|title=BWV 197}}</ref>
The work's ten movements are divided into two parts of five movements each, to be performed before and after the wedding sermon.<ref name=ab />
;Part 1
#Chorus: {{lang|de|Gott ist unsre Zuversicht}}
#Recitative (bass): {{lang|de|Gott ist und bleibt der beste Sorger}}
#Aria (alto): {{lang|de|Schläfert allen Sorgenkummer}}
#Recitative (bass): {{lang|de|Drum folget Gott und seinem Triebe}}
#Chorale: {{lang|de|Du süße Lieb, schenk uns deine Gunst}}
;Part 2
#<li value="6">Aria (bass): {{lang|de|O du angenehmes Paar}}</li>
#Recitative (soprano): {{lang|de|So wie es Gott mit dir}}
#Aria (soprano): {{lang|de|Vergnügen und Lust}}
#Recitative (bass): {{lang|de|Und dieser frohe Lebenslauf}}
#Chorale: {{lang|de|So wandelt froh auf Gottes Wegen}}
== Music ==
The opening movement is a chorus in [[da capo]] form with a prominent trumpet part and an active violin line. The vocal parts use [[fugue|fugal]] techniques. The bass [[recitative]] is [[Secco (music)|secco]] and "set to a melody of almost childlike naivety and simplicity". The alto [[aria]]'s structure combines elements of da capo and [[ritornello]] form; the instrumental introduction does not completely recur and the reprise differs significantly from the opening section. The fourth movement is a bass recitative with chordal strings. The section closes with a four-part setting of the chorale tune with varied phrase lengths.<ref name=min>{{cite web|url=https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-75-bwv-197-s|access-date=9 September 2022|publisher=jsbachcantatas|author=Mincham, Julian|title=Chapter 75 BWV 197 S}}</ref>
The second section opens with a bass aria that "has a lavishness of sound which is almost unparalleled". A two-part secco soprano recitative leads to an aria that was for bass in BWV 197.1 but in BWV 197.2 is scored for soprano.<ref name=min /> The aria is in the style of a [[siciliana|siciliano]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-75-bwv-197-s|access-date=9 September 2022|publisher=Emmanuel Music|author=Smith, Craig|title=BWV 197}}</ref> The penultimate movement is a bass recitative with chordal oboes and interjecting strings. The final chorale setting is relatively simple and in minor mode.<ref name=min />
== Recordings (selection) ==
* [[Max van Egmond]] (bass soloist), [[Wiener Sängerknaben]] (soprano soloist, alto soloist and choir), [[Concentus musicus Wien]] (orchestra), conducted by [[Nikolaus Harnoncourt]]. Recorded in 1967. Telefunken SAWT-9539 / Telefunken 6.41101 / Teldec 0630-12321-2
* [[Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart]], [[Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn]], conducted by [[Helmuth Rilling]]. Recorded in 1984. ''Die Bach Kantate Vol. 66''. [[Hänssler]] 98.828 / Hänssler 92.059
* [[Holland Boys Choir]], [[Netherlands Bach Collegium]], conducted by [[Pieter Jan Leusink]]. Recorded in 2000. ''Bach Edition Vol. 19''. Brilliant Classics 99378
* [[Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir]], conducted by [[Ton Koopman]]. Recorded in 2002–2003. ''J.S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 21''. Antoine Marchand, 2006
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{IMSLP2|work=Cantatas, BWV 191-200 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)|cname=Cantatas, BWV 191–200}}
* [http://www.bach.de/werk/bwv/197.html Gott ist unsre Zuversicht]: history, scoring, Bach website {{in lang|de}}
* [https://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV197.html BWV 197 Gott ist unsre Zuversicht]: English translation, [[University of Vermont]]
{{Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach}}
{{Bach cantatas}}
{{authority control}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Gott ist unsre Zuversicht'', BWV 197}}
[[Category:Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach]]
[[Category:1736 compositions]]
[[Category:1737 compositions]]
[[Category:Christian wedding music]]