Talk:Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen, BWV 11

Date of the first performance not 1735, but 1738?
Peter Wollny claims that the Ascension Oratorio was first performed not in 1735, but in 1737 or 1738.

The main idea is that one of the copyists of the original part scores, Anonymous Vj, has been identified as Johann Wilhelm Machts, based on his handwriting.

Bach Jahrbuch 2016, pp. 83-91. (translated from German):

"However, the identification of Anonymous Vj now calls Dürr's dating of BWV 11 into question, because Machts only moved into the alumnat of the Thomasschule just two weeks after the Ascension Day in 1735, and even if he had arrived in Leipzig a few weeks earlier, it can hardly be assumed that that an eleven-year-old newcomer was immediately called upon to do copy work."

[...]

"...the identification of the Anonymous Vj plays a key role. In view of Johann Wilhelm Machts's biographical data, we can assume with great certainty that the continuo part by his hand - and thus probably the entire set of parts - was not made for a performance on May 19, 1735. The beginning of his activity as a copyist can hardly be put before 1737 or even 1738. Since Bach's own notation underwent significant changes from about 1739, which are not yet manifest in D-B Mus.ms. Bach P 44, Faszikel 5 (autograph score) and in the autograph parts PL-Kj Mus.ms. Bach St 356, a later date of composition can also be ruled out with high probability. Of the two possible dates for the completion and first performance of the Ascension Oratorio - 1737 and 1738 - I would prefer the later option; this would also result in a meaningful reference to the renewed performance of the Easter Oratorio in the same year, which was backed up by strong arguments." Anonymous7002 (talk) 08:40, 30 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Thank you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:57, 30 April 2023 (UTC)