Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, BWV 84

Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke
BWV 84
Solo church cantata by J. S. Bach
The eleventh hour labourers etching by Jan Luyken
Occasion	Septuagesimae
Performed	9 February 1727 (1727-02-09): Leipzig
Movements	5
Cantata text	Picander?
Chorale	"Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende" by Ämilie Juliane von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
Vocal	solo soprano SATB choir
Instrumental	oboe 2 violins viola continuo

Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke (I am content in my good fortune),^[1] BWV 84,^{[lower-alpha 1]} is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the solo cantata for soprano in Leipzig in 1727 for the Sunday Septuagesima, and led the first performance, probably on 9 February 1727.

Bach composed the work in his fourth year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig. The text is similar to a cantata text Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Stande (I am content with my position), which Picander published in 1728, but it is not certain that he wrote also the cantata text. Its thoughts about being content are in the spirit of the beginning Enlightenment, expressed in simple language. The closing chorale is the 12th stanza of the hymn "Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende" by Ämilie Juliane von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt. Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke is one of the few works which Bach called "Cantata" himself.

Bach structured the work in five movements, alternating arias and recitatives, and a closing chorale. The scoring requires only a small ensemble of a soprano soloist, three additional vocal parts for the chorale, and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of oboe, strings and basso continuo. While the first aria is pensive and elegiac, the second aria is of dancing folk-like character.

History and words

Bach wrote the solo cantata in Leipzig, in his fourth year as Thomaskantor (director of church music) in Leipzig, for the third Sunday before Lent, called Septuagesima.^[2] The prescribed readings for the Sunday were taken from the First Epistle to the Corinthians, "race for victory" (1 Corinthians 9:24–10:5), and from the Gospel of Matthew, the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16). Bach had already composed two cantatas for the occasion in earlier years, Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin, BWV 144, in 1724, and the chorale cantata Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn, BWV 92, in 1725. Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke is one of the few works which Bach called "Cantata" himself.^[3]^[4]

As in the earlier years, the cantata text is related to the gospel in the general way that the Christian should be content with his share of good fortune, without envy of others who may seem more fortunate. The title and the text show similarities to Picander's Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Stande (I am content with my position), published in 1728. It is unclear if both texts are by Picander, or if Picander based his on a former one, or if Picander's was already available at the time of the composition but was changed.^[2] As the Bach scholar Klaus Hofmann observes, the thoughts are in the spirit of the beginning Enlightenment, "praise of frugality, of modesty with that which God has allocated to us, of satisfaction, of lack of envy towards others". The language is no longer the "rhetorical pathos of baroque poetry", but "radicality and artistry of the imagery. The language is simple and terse; it is rational rather than figurative."^[5]

The author of the hymn lyrics

The closing chorale is the 12th stanza of the funeral hymn "Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende" by Ämilie Juliane von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (1686).^[6] Bach had used its first stanza in his cantatas Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166 (1724) and in Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende? BWV 27 (1726).^[2]

Bach led the first performance, probably on 9 February 1727.^[2]

Scoring and structure

Bach structured the cantata in five movements. A sequence of alternating arias and recitatives is concluded by a chorale. Bach scored the work for soprano soloist, a four-part choir only in the chorale, and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of oboe (Ob), two violins (Vl), viola (Va), and basso continuo.^[7] The heading of the autograph score reads: "J.J. Dominica Septuagesimae Cantata", which means: "Jesus help. Cantata for the Sunday Septuagesima".^[4] Bach added a more precise extra page: "Dominica Septuages. / Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke / à / Soprano Solo è / 3 Ripieni / 1 Hautbois / 2 Violini / Viola / e Continuo / di / Joh:Seb:Bach".^[4] The scoring is modest, appropriate for the weeks leading to Lent.^[8] The duration is given as about 15 minutes.^[9]

In the following table of the movements, the scoring follows the Neue Bach-Ausgabe.^[7] The keys and time signatures are taken from the book on all cantatas by the Bach scholar Alfred Dürr, using the symbol for common time (4/4).^[2] The continuo, playing throughout, is not shown.

Movements of *Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke*, BWV 84
No.	Title	Text	Type	Vocal	Winds	Strings	Key	Time
1	Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke	Picander	Aria	Soprano	Ob	2Vl Va	E minor	3/4
2	Gott ist mir ja nichts schuldig	Picander	Recitative	Soprano
3	Ich esse mit Freuden mein weniges Brot	Picander	Aria	Soprano	Ob	Vl	G major	3/8
4	Im Schweiße meines Angesichts	Picander	Recitative	Soprano		2Vl Va
5	Ich leb indes in dir vergnüget	Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt	Chorale	SATB	Ob	2Vl Va	E minor

Music

Although the vocal and instrumental parts are limited, Bach achieves variety by movements of different instrumentation and character.

1

conductor John Eliot Gardiner at work in rehearsal, looking to the left

John Eliot Gardiner, who conducted the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, in 2007

The opening aria, "Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, das mir der liebe Gott beschert." (I am content with the fortune that my dear God bestows on me.),^[10] is slow and pensive, accompanied by all instruments, reminiscent of the slow movement of an oboe concerto.^[5] John Eliot Gardiner, who conducted in 2000 the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, noted in the project diary that Bach, who possibly was not content with his situation in Leipzig, composed music portraying "ambivalence and complexity". His music is "dynamic and fluctuating", capturing "wistful, resigned, elegiac" moods.^[3] The musicologist Julian Mincham notes that the aria compares to Ich bin in mir vergnügt, BWV 204 (I am content in myself) which he describes as "also a highly personal work for solo soprano with a similar theme, exploring comparable human emotions".^[9]

2

The first recitative, "Gott ist mir ja nichts schuldig" (God indeed owes me nothing),^[10] is secco.^[9]

3

The second aria, "Ich esse mit Freuden mein weniges Brot und gönne dem Nächsten von Herzen das Seine." (I eat my little bit of bread with joy and heartily leave to my neighbor his own.),^[10] is dancing and accompanied by two obbligato parts, oboe and violin. They express in vivid figuration in the violin and a slightly simplified version in the oboe the text "ein fröhlicher Geist, ein dankbares Herze, das lobet und preist" (a happy spirit, a thankful heart, that gives praise).^[10]^[2] Hofmann observes that the aria depicts a "pastoral idyll with a rustic musical scene – a tribute to the Enlightenment utopia of simple, happy country life." The violin's figuration suggests the drone of bagpipes or hurdy-gurdy. The voice leaps in upward sixths, in "folk-like character" and conveying "contented tranquillity".^[5] Mincham notes that the first four notes of the oboe ritornello are the first four notes of the closing chorale turned to major.^[9]

4

Georg Neumark, the writer of the hymn tune

The second recitative, "Im Schweiße meines Angesichts will ich indes mein Brot genießen" (In the sweat of my brow I will meanwhile enjoy my bread),^[10] is accompanied by the strings.^[9]

5

The chorale, "Ich leb indes in dir vergnüget und sterb ohn alle Kümmernis" (Meanwhile I live contented in You and die without any trouble),^[10] is a four-part setting of the tune "Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten" by Georg Neumark.^[11] Gardiner interprets the marking a soprano solo e a 3 ripieni (for soprano and three ripieno parts) as meaning that no instruments play colla parte with the voices.^[3]

Selected recordings

The listing is taken from the selection provided on the Bach-Cantatas website.^[1] In the following table, large choirs and orchestras are marked by red background, ensembles playing on period instruments in historically informed performance are marked by a green background under the header Instr..

Recordings of *Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke*, BWV 84
Title	Conductor / Choir / Orchestra	Soloists	Label	Year	Choir type	Instr.
J. S. Bach: Cantatas No. 106, No. 84	Scherchen, HermannHermann Scherchen Wiener Akademie Kammerchor Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera	Magda László	Westminster	1952 (1952)	Chamber	Opera
J. S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 49 & BWV 84	Ehmann, WilhelmWilhelm Ehmann Westfälische Kantorei Instrumental Ensemble	Agnes Giebel	Cantate	1961 (1961)
Bach: Kantaten BWV 52, BWV 84 & BWV 209	Leppard, RaymondRaymond Leppard English Chamber Orchestra	Elly Ameling	Philips	1982 (1982)		Chamber
Die Bach Kantate Vol. 26	Rilling, HelmuthHelmuth Rilling Gächinger Kantorei Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn	Arleen Augér	Hänssler	1983 (1983)
Bach Edition Vol. 15 – Cantatas Vol. 8	Leusink, Pieter JanPieter Jan Leusink Holland Boys Choir Netherlands Bach Collegium	Ruth Holton	Brilliant Classics	2000 (2000)	Boys	Period
Bach Cantatas Vol. 20: Naarden / Southwell / For Septuagesima / For Sexagesima	Gardiner, John EliotJohn Eliot Gardiner Monteverdi Choir English Baroque Soloists	Miah Persson	Soli Deo Gloria	2000 (2000)		Period
J. S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 20	Koopman, TonTon Koopman Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir	Sandrine Piau	Antoine Marchand	2003 (2003)	Period
J. S. Bach: Christus, der ist mein Leben – Cantates BWV 27, 84, 95 & 161	Herreweghe, PhilippePhilippe Herreweghe Collegium Vocale Gent	Dorothee Mields	Harmonia Mundi France	2007 (2007)		Period
J. S. Bach: Geistliche Solokantaten für Sopran	Müller-Brühl, HelmutHelmut Müller-Brühl Bach Vokalensemble Köln Kölner Kammerorchester	Siri Thornhill	Naxos	2007 (2007)		Chamber
J.S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 41 (Solo Cantatas) – BWV 56, 82, 84, 158	Suzuki, MasaakiMasaaki Suzuki Bach Collegium Japan	Carolyn Sampson	BIS	2007 (2007)		Period

Notes

↑ "BWV" is Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis, a thematic catalogue of Bach's works.

References

1 2 Oron, Aryeh (2015). "Cantata BWV 84 Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke". Bach-Cantatas. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dürr, Alfred (1981). Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach (in German). 1 (4 ed.). Deutscher Taschenbuchverlag. pp. 207–209. ISBN 3-423-04080-7.
1 2 3 Gardiner, John Eliot (2009). "Cantatas for Septuagesima / Grote Kerk, Naarden" (PDF). Bach-Cantatas. p. 4–5. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
1 2 3 Grob, Jochen (2014). "BWV 84 / BC A 43" (in German). s-line.de. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
1 2 3 Hofmann, Klaus (2008). "Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke / (I am Content with my Happiness), BWV 84" (PDF). Bach-Cantatas. p. 8. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
↑ "Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende? / Text and Translation of Chorale". Bach-Cantatas. 2006. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
1 2 Bischof, Walter F. "BWV 84 Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke". University of Alberta. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
↑ Wolff, Christoph (2003). Bach's Third Yearly Cycle of Cantatas from Leipzig (1725–1727), II (PDF). Bach-Cantatas. pp. 7–8. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
1 2 3 4 5 Mincham, Julian (2010). "Chapter 37 BWV 84 Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke / I am content with my destiny.". jsbachcantatas.com. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dellal, Pamela. "BWV 84 – Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke". Emmanuel Music. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten". Bach-Cantatas. 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2012.

Sources

External links

Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, BWV 84: performance by the Netherlands Bach Society (video and background information)

Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach

Before Leipzig	Early: BWV 4 131 71 106 196 150 143 Weimar: BWV 61 70a 186a 132 174a 63 152 155 18 54 80a 182 31 12 172 165 21 185 199 161 162 163 Köthen: BWV Anh. 5

First cycle (1723–24)	Between Trinity and Advent: BWV 75 76 24 167 147 186 136 105 46 179 69a 77 25 138 95 148 48 109 89 60 90 70 From Advent to Trinity: BWV 40 64 190 153 65 154 73 81 83 144 181 22 23 66 134 67 104 166 86 37 44 59 184

Second cycle (& chorale cantatas)	Chorale cantatas between Trinity and Easter: BWV 20 2 7 135 10 93 107 178 94 101 113 33 78 99 8 130 114 96 5 180 38 115 139 26 116 62 91 121 133 122 41 123 124 3 111 92 125 126 127 1 Continuation of the second cycle: BWV 6 42 85 103 108 87 128 183 74 68 175 176 Later additions to the chorale cantata cycle: BWV 80 137 129 58 112 140 177 9 14 Other late chorale cantatas: BWV 117 192 100 97

Third cycle	After Trinity 1725: BWV 168 164 79 Liturgical year 1725–26: BWV 110 57 151 28 16 32 13 72 146 43 39 88 170 187 45 102 35 17 19 27 47 169 56 49 98 55 52 1727: BWV 82 84 34 173

Later and other	Picander cycle: BWV 149 188 197a 171 156 159 145 174 Late parodies: BWV 36 30 191 200 1083 Council election: BWV 119 193 Anh. 3 29 120 69 Wedding: BWV 34a 195 120a 197 Funeral: 157 244a Other: 194 190a 120b 51 158 50 248/VIa Doubtful: 53 142 189 217 220 221 223 224

Bach cantata List of Bach cantatas Discography: Monteverdi Choir/Koopman/Teldec

Cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach by BWV number

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (oratorio) 12 13 14 15^** 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 30a 31 32 33 34 34a 35 36 36a 36b 36c 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 (53)^* 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 66a 67 68 69 69a 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 80a 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 (motet) 119 120 120a 120b 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 (131a)^* 132 133 134 134a 135 136 137 138 139 140 ~~141~~^** (142)^* 143 144 145 146 147 147a 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 ~~160~~^** 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 173a 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 (189)^* 190 190a 191 192 193 193a 194 195 196 197 197a 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 205a 206 207 207a 208 208a 209 210 210a 211 212 213 214 215 216 216a (217)^* ~~218~~^ ~~219~~^ (220)^* (221)^* ~~222~~^** 223 224 244a 248a 249a 249b 1040 1045 1083 1127 Anh. 3 Anh. 5 Anh. 9 Anh. 11 Anh. 18 — ^(Doubtful) ^*~~Spurious~~

Lists: Compositions Cantatas ; Church cantatas: Chorale cantatas Early Weimar 1st cycle 2nd cycle 3rd cycle Picander cycle Late ; Secular cantatas

Authority control	WorldCat Identities VIAF: 186098357 BNF: cb13909941c (data)

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