Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht (Time, which day and year doth make),
BWV 134a, is a secular cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach for a
celebration of New Year's Day in 1719 at the court of Leopold, Prince of
Anhalt-Köthen (hall in the palace pictured). The libretto by the author
Christian Friedrich Hunold portrays a dialogue between two allegorical
figures, Time (representing the past) and Divine Providence (the
future). Bach set the words to eight movements consisting of alternating
recitatives and arias, culminating in a choral finale. Most movements
are duets for alto and tenor, supported by a Baroque instrumental
ensemble of two oboes, strings and continuo. The character of the music
is close to Baroque opera, including its French dances. In Leipzig in
1724, Bach used this secular work as the basis for a church cantata for
the Third Day of Easter, omitting two movements and changing only the
text.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Zeit,_die_Tag_und_Jahre_macht,_BWV_134a>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1773:
The hymn "Amazing Grace" was probably first used in a prayer
meeting in Olney, England, without the music familiar to modern
listeners.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace>
1801:
Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the dwarf planet
Ceres, naming it after the Roman goddess of agriculture and of motherly
love.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceres_%28dwarf_planet%29>
1945:
World War II: In retaliation for the massacre of captured
Americans by Waffen SS soldiers, U.S. Army personnel killed 60 Wehrmacht
prisoners near Chenogne, Belgium.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenogne_massacre>
2011:
A bomb exploded at a Coptic Christian church in Alexandria,
Egypt, killing 23 people.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Alexandria_bombing>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
New Year's resolution:
A vow that one makes on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day for the coming
year.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_resolution>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
A humanist has four leading characteristics — curiosity, a free
mind, belief in good taste, and belief in the human race.
--E. M. Forster
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/E._M._Forster>