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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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