Non sa che sia dolore, BWV 209


Non sa che sia dolore, BWV 209, is a secular cantata composed by Johann Sebastian Bach and first performed in Leipzig in 1747. Together with Amore Traditore it is one of the only two Bach's works with setting of a text in Italian.

History and text

Bach likely composed this cantata as a farewell for Lorenz Albrecht Beck. The librettist for the work is unknown.

Scoring and structure

The piece is scored for solo soprano voice, flauto traverso, two violins, viola, and basso continuo.
The cantata has five movements:
  1. Sinfonia
  2. Recitative: Non sa che sia dolore
  3. Aria: Parti pur e con dolore
  4. Recitative: Tuo saver al tempo e l'età contrasta
  5. Aria: Ricetti gramezza e pavento

    Music

Bach may have derived the opening sinfonia in B minor from a previous concerto. It includes a prominent "baroque 'weeping' figure". The first recitative uses tonality to underline the meaning of the "quasi-philosophical" text. The following da capo aria is in E minor and features a flute obbligato. The second recitative is short and secco, contrasting sharply with the final "ebulliently major" da capo aria.

Recordings