Meine Seele Erhebt den Herrn

There are two surviving settings of the Magnificat by Bach; the famous D Major in Latin, and the "German Magnificat", cantata number 10 (Meine Seel' erhebt den Herren). The latter cantata used the traditional text of the Magnificat hymn sung in Lutheran churches. The text of this lost work, "Meine Seele Erhebt den Herrn", seems to be a paraphrase of the hymn verses in more modern language.

Reconstruction Plan

• Since BWV 10 was a somewhat darker work than the Latin Magnificat (owing mainly to the minor mode of the original hymn tune), I thought it probable that Bach, never one to repeat himself without cause, might have decided on a happy medium between the two works. The opening chorus was influenced somewhat by the first movement of the Latin Magnificat, but with more modest instrumentation.
• Following a recitative, this Soprano Aria, scored for continuo and oboe, opens with the words "Heilig, Heilig", which immediately suggested a characteristic rhythm for the aria. The text contains numerous opportunities to express joy and praise through such words as "jauchszt" and "loben", as well as to employ the "strength" motive (bold staccato leaps in the continuo and oboe) suggested by the word "allmacht".
• Another recitative preceeds a Tenor Aria, which further portrays divine might with the use of a virtuoso violin passage.
• An Alto aria, following another recitative, is based on the verse, "He has filled the hungry with good things". It employs chains of two-note, half-step melodic ascensions to symbolize the pangs of hunger.
• The Closing Chorus (after yet another recitative) is from the final verse of the Magnificat, "As he has said to our forefathers, to Abraham and his children forever". I took a similar approach that Bach did in the Latin Magnificat (Sicut locutus est). Since the text ends with the notation, Chorus repetatur ab initio, this final chorus ends on a half-cadence, followed by a repitition of the opening chorus, minus the closing ritornello.