Writers addressing the question of Bach's self-parodies have stressed practical concerns, such as the validity of the music to a new text, time pressure, or work economy. Bach's re-use of three movements from the cantata Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd, BWV 208, involves a considerable amount of recomposition. In most cases, the metrical and rhyme scheme of the new texts are completely different, and in the case of Man singet mit Freuden vom Sieg, BWV 149, the affect of the text changes from one of pastoral sweetness to a joyful celebration of victory in battle. Although Bach found creative solutions for the problems posed by these self-borrowings, he did not use borrowing as a matter of convenience. Rather, the urge to elaborate all possibilities within a given musical idea was central to Bach's compositional process.

Works: Johann Sebastian Bach: Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, BWV 68 (39-52), Trio, BWV 1040 (48-49), Man singet mit Freuden vom Sieg, BWV 149 (52, 56-57).

Sources: Johann Sebastian Bach: Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd, BWV 208 (38-57), Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, BWV 68 (48).

Index Classifications: 1700s

Contributed by: Felix Cox