BWV 249b Verjaget, zerstreuet, zerrüttet,
ihr Sterne
Die Feier des Genius (Drama per Musica) Birthday of Count Joachim Friedrich von Flemming. Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), Ernst-Schertzhaffte und Satyrische Gedichte, Teil I (Leipzig, 1727, 2nd ed., 1732, 3rd ed., 1736); Facs: Neumann T, p. 313. 25 August 1726; Parody: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 ← BWV 249a/3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11; 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 → BWV 249/3, 5, 7, 9, 11. [English translation follows German text.] Drama per Musica Genius, Mercurius, Melpomene, und Minerva(1) [1.] Aria a Duetto (Genius und Mercurius) (Minerva und Melpomene) [2. Recit.] (Genius) (Mercurius) (Genius) (Minerva) (Melpomene) [3.] Aria (Melpomene) [4. Recit.] (Mercurius) (Minerva) (Mercurius) (Melpomene) [5.] Aria (Mercurius) Da Capo. [6. Recit. und Arioso] (Minerva) (Melpomene Arioso) (Genius) (Mercurius) (Genius) [7.] Aria (Minerva) Geht, ihr Wünsche[,] geht behende, [8. Recit.] (Genius) Geliebte, was ihr wünscht, [9.] Aria Heyl und Lust Genius, Mercury, Melpomene, Minerva(1) 1. Aria a Duetto (Genius, Mercury - Minerva, Melpomene) (Genius, Mercury) (Minerva, Melpomene) 2. Recit. (All) Dispel them, disperse them, destroy them, ye heavens,The transient glances of tempest and storm! A merry endeavor Now consumes our attention, For this day to pleasure calls. (Minerva, Melpomene) Dispel them, disperse them, destroy them, ye heavens, The transient glances of tempest and storm! 2. Recit. (All) (Genius) What do I here? (Mercury) Who interrupts our joy? (Genius) Minerva and Melpomene? (Minerva) So do ye think To make now of your breast A meeting place for pleasure (Melpomene) And that in us both This same desire our heart not fill? 3. Aria (Melpomene) Charming, rare and charming instincts Well up now within my breast; For my bliss And my thoughts’ own sweet enchantment Knows my mouth no meet expression. Da Capo. 4. Recit. (Mercury, Minerva, Melpomene) (Mercury) But why are we now so inflamed, Wherefore is both your head and countenance Today So well adorned and radiantly bedecked? (Melpomene) Is it not right of us The mighty Genius, Which doth our Flemming’s fortune guide, With worship or with gifts to honor? (Mercury) Ye share with me my destination, (Melpomene) But who will then remain, For now the quiet woods are still, To tend the gods here, If they by some distress in sleep be interrupted. 5. Aria (Mercury) Sink ye now, untouched by worry,(2) Da Capo. 6. Recit. and Arioso (All) (Melpomene)Although Mount Helicon Is in a gentle stillness lying, I’m driven by some inner force Because of Flemming’s health, luck and good fortune To tell my joy and pleasure, For he hath held my Muses dear. (Melpomene Arioso) If I sing this hero’s labors, This is Flemming’s proper due And his legacy of fame: But when I recall as well How he doth the Muses love, I am driven to a passion. (Genius) My altar is prepared, Are sacrifices ready? (Mercury) Here are the incense and the wine, But there you will the flowers find; (Genius) How fine! Here am I now in person, Pay honor to my majesty. 7. Aria (Minerva) Go, good wishes, go ye quickly, Ask ye that the end be distant To our Flemming’s joyful bliss! Wish ye, too, that this great day Oft and glad behold him may, Wish but “Fiat!” Keep your word. Da Capo. 8. Recit. (Genius) Belovéd, what ye wishShall be to you fulfilled; For heaven cares for Flemming’s weal, It strengthens all his gallant members. His house, his noble house, Whose bloom the world beholds with wonder, Extend itself beyond all bounds! And his good wife, Who doth this day’s diversion witness, Be constantly With ample store of blessing fair adorned! And ye, all ye who to this mirth Are my Belovéd witnesses, Now raise aloft with me your anthems. 9. Aria (All) Health and bliss Crown unending thy dear breast! Mighty Flemming, thy great vigor Must just like the palms stand firm; They are never bending lowly, Rather to the clouds ascend. And thus will we often amidst thy good fortune With wishes, with singing, with playing find pleasure! 1. Latin genius is the male spirit of the head of a Roman gens 'clan' and was thought to dwell in every individual of the family. It was especially worshipped on birthdays. Mercury is in this cantata seen in his role as a god of youth. Melpomene is the muse of tragic or high drama, while Minerva is the goddess of wisdom. 2. This seems to be a mildly ironic allusion to the Epicurean view of the gods as enjoying complete ataraxia 'freedom from disturbance.' In the next movement Minerva implies that she will sing of her joy at Flemming's good fortune, even if the music may wake the gods. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |