Like Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", "Sheep may safely graze" is frequently played at weddings.[1] However, the cantata BWV 208 was originally written for a birthday celebration of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels. Bach was based at the nearby court of Weimar, and musicians from both courts appear to have joined in the first performance in Weißenfels. Bach is known to have used the music again for other celebrations, but it remained unpublished until after his death.
Instrumentation
Bach had a Baroque instrumental ensemble at his disposal including two horns, an instrument associated with the hunt.[2]
For this number (movement 9 of the complete work), the singer is not accompanied by the full ensemble used elsewhere in the cantata, but by two recorders and continuo. The use of flute-like instruments is typical of pastoral music.
Since the revival of Bach's music in the 19th century, "Sheep may safely graze" has been arranged for other instruments.
The piece's title evokes a pastoral scene and has been referenced in discussions of how European culture depicts domestic animals and sheep in particular.[3][4]
In the cantata, the recitative and aria are sung by the role of the ancient Roman god of shepherds, flocks, and livestock, Pales. Pales compares the peaceful life of sheep under a watchful shepherd to the inhabitants of a state with a wise ruler.[5][6]
If not performed within the cantata, the recitative is omitted.
Schafe können sicher weiden
Wo ein guter Hirte wacht.
Wo Regenten wohl regieren
Kann man Ruh' und Friede spüren
Und was Länder glücklich macht.
Sheep can safely graze
where a good shepherd watches over them.
Where rulers are ruling well,
we may feel peace and rest
and what makes countries happy.
Recordings
The work has often been recorded. It can be found in:
"Sheep may safely graze" was arranged for piano by the American composer Mary Howe.[8] Another notable piano transcription was made by Dutch pianist Egon Petri, published in 1944.[9]
The piece was arranged for string orchestra by British composer Granville Bantock.[14] There is also an orchestral arrangement by British composer Sir William Walton, part of the ballet score The Wise Virgins.
^van Boer, Jr.; Bertil H (April 1980). "Observations on Bach's Use of the Horn Part I". Bach. 11 (2): 21–28. JSTOR41640100.
^Gayford, Martin (14 August 2002). "Clouds over the rural idyll". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 19 February 2018. Few words give as great a sense of reassurance as "and sheep may safely graze"
