Entfernet euch, ihr heitern Sterne (Disperse yourselves, ye stars, serenely!), BWV 1156 (formerly BWV Anh. 9),[1] is a birthday cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.[2] He composed it in Leipzig to celebrate the 57th birthday of the Elector of Saxony, King Augustus II the Strong,[3] and it was performed for him on his birthday, 12 May 1727, on the Markt square of Leipzig, by students of the University of Leipzig,[4] with Bach directing.[3] The king was also presented with the work's libretto, written by Christian Friedrich Haupt.[3]
| Entfernet euch, ihr heitern Sterne | |
|---|---|
| Secular cantata by J. S. Bach | |
.jpg) Augustus II the Strong, known as Frederick Augustus I in Saxony, for whom the cantata was created | |
| English | Disperse yourselves, ye stars, serenely! |
| Catalogue | BWV 1156 (BWV Anh. 9) |
| Occasion | birthday of the sovereign |
| Text | by Christian Friedrich Haupt |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 12 May 1727 |
| Location | Leipzig, Markt |
| Conductor | J. S. Bach |
The music to this secular birthday cantata by Bach is lost.[2][3] It has been speculated from the surviving libretto, however, that several movements from the Mass in B minor are derived from it. A reconstruction has been created using the music of the Mass.
The cantata is counted among Bach's works for celebrations of the Leipzig University, Festmusiken zu Leipziger Universitätsfeiern.[5]
Recordings
The reconstruction by Dr. Klaus Höfner has been recorded.[2]
References
External links
- Entfernet euch, ihr heitern Sterne: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project (libretto only)