The cantata Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut (All glory to the Lord of Lords) BWV 117 is one of a small group of Bach’s chorale cantatas which use exclusively the text of the chorale, including in the three recitatives and three arias. Only the autograph score of the cantata survives; although this enables an approximate dating to be made (c. 1730), it does not give the occasion for which the cantata was written. The choice of chorale may indicate it was composed for a wedding. Recently it has been suggested that the occasion for its composition was the birthday of the Duke of Weißenfels in 1731; but there is no firm evidence to support either theory.
The cantata opens with an extended movement for chorus in which Bach contrasts the concertante orchestra with festive, almost homophonic choral writing. This chorus movement is repeated at the end. A simple chorale movement which comes fourth indicates that the nine-movement cantata was performed in two sections.
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Digital text (without sheet music) incl. printing licence, html file, singing text, english translationhtml file, singing text, english translation (Sample)Versus 1 (Choral)All glory to the Lord of Lords,
Versus 2 (Recitativo, Basso)
the God of all Creation,
who hope and joy to man affords
in ev’ry rank and station;
our cup to overflow He fills
and all our woe and wailing stills.
To Him be all the glory!In thanks the song of Angel throngs
Versus 3 (Aria, Tenore)
above to Thee are swelling;
on earth all creatures, high and low,
all in Thy shadow dwelling,
are praising their Creator’s might,
who guides our ev’ry step aright.
To Him be all the glory!The world that God created here
He will uphold forever.
He rules His subjects far and near,...
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Digital text (without sheet music) incl. printing licence, html file, singing text, originalhtml file, singing text, original (Sample)Versus 1 (Choral)
Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut,
Versus 2 (Recitativo, Basso)
dem Vater aller Güte,
dem Gott, der alle Wunder tut,
dem Gott, der mein Gemüte
mit seinem reichen Trost erfüllt,
dem Gott, der allen Jammer stillt.
Gebt unserm Gott die Ehre!Es danken dir die Himmelsheer,
Versus 3 (Aria, Tenore)
o Herrscher aller Thronen,
und die auf Erden, Luft und Meer
in deinem Schatten wohnen,
die preisen deine Schöpfermacht,
die alles also wohl bedacht.
Gebt unserm Gott die Ehre!Was unser Gott geschaffen hat,
das will er auch erhalten;
darüber will er früh und spat...
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Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach
| 1685-1750Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the most important composers of Western music history. He came from a widely ramified musical dynasty, which produced numerous musicians and organists in the Thuringian-Saxon area.
Bach vocal
Ever since Carus-Verlag was founded in 1972, publishing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach has been a special focus for us. In the 2017 Reformation anniversary year we completed the Bach vocal project. Bach's complete sacred vocal works are now available in modern Urtext editions, together with performance material. A complete edition of all the full scores is also available in a high quality box set. Personal details
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Editor
Hans Grischkat
| 1903-1977
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Songwriter / Librettist
Johann Jakob Schütz
| 1640-1690
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Translator
Henry Drinker
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