Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt, BWV 18

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Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt, BWV 18 is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. The title means "Just as the rain and snow fall from heaven" in English.[1] It was written for the Sexagesima Sunday. Bach probably wrote the cantata in 1713, when he was working in Weimar. He used the cantata again when he worked as the Thomaskantor in Leipzig.[2]: 233 

Structure[change | change source]

The first version of the cantata was written for SATB choir and soloists, four violas, a bassoon, and basso continuo. The instrumentation was unusual at that time.[3] Bach added two recorders when he worked in Leipzig. The cantata has five movements:[2]: 233 

  1. Sinfonia
  2. Recitative: Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt
  3. Recitative and chorale: Mein Gott, hier wird mein Herze sein
  4. Aria: Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort
  5. Choral: Du wollst nicht von mir nehmen

References[change | change source]

  1. Browne, Francis. "Cantata BWV 18 - English Translation [Interlinear Format]". www.bach-cantatas.com. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Dürr, Alfred (2006). The Cantatas of J. S. Bach: With Their Librettos in German-English Parallel Text. Oxford University Press. pp. 231–234. ISBN 978-0-19-929776-4.
  3. Hofmann, Klaus (2005). "BWV 18: Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt (For as the rain and snow come down from heaven)" (PDF). Bach Cantatas Website. pp. 5–6. Retrieved 30 January 2013.

Other websites[change | change source]