Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht (Time, which day and year doth make), BWV 134a, is a secular cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach for a celebration of New Year's Day in 1719 at the court of Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (hall in the palace pictured). The libretto by the author Christian Friedrich Hunold portrays a dialogue between two allegorical figures, Time (representing the past) and Divine Providence (the future). Bach set the words to eight movements consisting of alternating recitatives and arias, culminating in a choral finale. Most movements are duets for alto and tenor, supported by a Baroque instrumental ensemble of two oboes, strings and continuo. The character of the music is close to Baroque opera, including its French dances. In Leipzig in 1724, Bach used this secular work as the basis for a church cantata for the Third Day of Easter, omitting two movements and changing only the text.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Zeit,_die_Tag_und_Jahre_macht,_BWV_134a> _______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries: 1773: The hymn "Amazing Grace" was probably first used in a prayer meeting in Olney, England, without the music familiar to modern listeners. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace> 1801: Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the dwarf planet Ceres, naming it after the Roman goddess of agriculture and of motherly love. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceres_%28dwarf_planet%29> 1945: World War II: In retaliation for the massacre of captured Americans by Waffen SS soldiers, U.S. Army personnel killed 60 Wehrmacht prisoners near Chenogne, Belgium. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenogne_massacre> 2011: A bomb exploded at a Coptic Christian church in Alexandria, Egypt, killing 23 people. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Alexandria_bombing> _____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day: New Year's resolution: A vow that one makes on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day for the coming year. <https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_resolution> ___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day: A humanist has four leading characteristics — curiosity, a free mind, belief in good taste, and belief in the human race. --E. M. Forster <https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/E._M._Forster> _______________________________________________ Wikipedia Daily Article mailing list. To unsubscribe, visit: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/daily-article-l Questions or comments? Contact [email protected]
