Look insideJohann Kuhnau (1660–1722) Mein Alter kömmt, ich kann nicht sterben
Cantata for the Purification of Mary – Urtext edited by David Erler [T,mix ch,orch] Duration: 13' Text: Christian Weise
solo: T – choir: SSATB – 0.0.0.1 – 0.0.0.0 – bsn – str – bc
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The surviving material of the cantata “Mein Alter kömmt, ich kann nicht sterben” provides no information about its purpose or the time of its composition. On the title page of the autograph set of parts, only the performance dates of the Fürstenschule Grimma from 1696 to 1703 are noted. However, the editor was able to identify a poem by Christian Weise from 1682, which was remarkable for its time, as the text source. It contains the remark “an Lichtmesse,” the cantata is therefore intended for the end of the Christmas season.
After an introductory sonata, the cantata is composed for tenor solo throughout. The tenor is accompanied by the harpsichord as a continuo instrument the whole time, which is unique in Kuhnau’s surviving cantatas and gives the expressive work the feeling of chamber music. Only in the last movement, in which the song of Simeon is set to music, five vocal parts are written, possibly to be performed by a choir. For the sonata and the final movement, an organ was additionally used at the performances in Grimma.
Audio samples: Opella Musica, camerata lipsiensis, cond. Gregor Meyer (cpo, 2013)
| 1. Sonata |
| 2. Mein Alter kömmt, ich kann nicht sterben |
| 3. Komm, du süßes Sterben |
| 4. Allein der Geist erinnert mich im Schlafe |
| 5. Seid getrost, ihr Frommen |
| 6. Siehe da, was haben wir im Tempel |
| 7. Aria: Herr, ich bin lebensmüde |
| 8. Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener in Frieden fahren |