Aria "Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn' ihn" BWV 1127

Aria "Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn' ihn" BWV 1127

In May 2005, the Leipzig-based musicologist Michael Maul made a sensational discovery in Weimar. He unearthed a manuscript of a sacred aria by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), which was previously completely unknown, while sifting through the Herzogin Anna Amalia Library. It was the first time since 1935 that a new Bach vocal work had been discovered. The aria consisting of twelve verses is written for solo soprano, strings and basso continuo and opens with the words Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn’ ihn – “everything with God and nothing without him”. It was composed in 1713 to celebrate the 53rd birthday of Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar (1662–1728), who employed Bach as court organist from 1708 until 1717. This vocal work represents Bach’s sole contribution to the genre of strophic aria. Each verse is accompanied by basso continuo and followed by a lively string ritornello, making this work a pièce d’occasion of exquisite quality. Not only is the original, recently discovered manuscript presented here, but it is accompanied by a recording of the world première with the soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and The English Baroque Soloists conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

A theological birthday poem

Bach's aria is based on the poem of the same name by Johann Anton Mylius, which he dedicated to the Duke for his birthday. Mylius composed twelve stanzas of eight lines each around the Duke's motto: Omnia cum Deo et nihil sine eo or Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn' ihn (Everything with God and nothing without him). As an acrostic, the poem contains numerous allusions and references not only to Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar, but especially to biblical texts, which is not surprising given the ducal motto, but also Mylius's work as pastor and superintendent in Buttstädt. A six-page reproduction of the first original print from 1713 precedes Bach's score in this facsimile edition.