Sheep May Safely Graze (Schafe konnen sicher weiden) from Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd (Jagdkantate/ Hunting Cantata), BWV 208

J.S. Bach (1685-1750) wrote the secular ‘Hunting Cantata’ (Jagdkantate) in 1713 for the occasion of Duke Christian von Sachsen-Weisenfels birthday. Sachsen-Weisenfels, a passionate hunter. The full title of the work is Was mir behagt, ist mur die muntre Jagd (What Pleases Me is Just a Jolly Hunt). The plot of the cantata involves Diana, goddess of the hunt, proving to her lover, Endymion, that she is not indifferent to him by inviting him to celebrate the birthday of Sachsen-Weisenfels at a party to be held in his honor. Another attendee is Pales, the goddess of shepherds and fields, and her aria Schafe konnen sicher weiden (Sheep May Safely Graze) compares the Duke to a good shepherd who cares for his subjects so that they may live in peace. The pastoral aria has endured as one of Bach’s most popular works. This adaptation by Alfred Reed was prepared from the original version by Bach and remains true to the Baroque master’s intentions. Instrumentation: 3.2+EH.2+BCl.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).