Continuing my excursion through Baroque recorder music, I present...
J.S. Bach -- "Sheep May Safely Graze" Aria from Cantata 208
In Bach's famous piece, you can hear two recorders tootling along happily in the background, evoking images of pastoral meadows.
A website about "Sheep" says, "That cantata is seldom performed today, but one of its movements--an aria for soprano with two obbligato recorders titled Schäfe können sicher weichen ("Sheep May Safely Graze")--has become some of the most famous music Bach ever wrote. The aria makes a point that would have appealed to the Duke [for whom Bach wrote the cantata]: sheep (the citizens) are safe when they are guarded by a good shepherd (the prince)."
La Jolla Music Society - JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Sheep May Safely Graze
If you are interested in the political lyrics of "Sheep May Safely Graze," you can read about them here:
http://www.musicbanter.com/classical...tml#post770730
Amusingly, the person who posted this video (below) on YouTube entitled it "Authentic Period Sheep May Safely Graze," about which some whippersnapper commented:
Quote:
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"I love the 'authentic period sheep.' I am so sick of hearing this piece with modern sheep. The music really comes alive when you use the proper animal. Myself, I prefer German Bergschaf sheep, although I have a recording of this piece with some Devon Longwoolled that I really enjoy. Intonation is always a problem with period sheep, but the musicians in your recording are impeccable. The textures are warm and comforting without being too scratchy."
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Ah, those quirky lovers of classical music.
Enjoy the authentic period sheep:
Authentic Period Sheep May Safely Graze BWV208 Hunt Cantata - YouTube