Ich habe genug

“Ich habe genug” (“I have enough”), among Bach’s most popular works, was first performed on 2 February 1727, the Feast of the Purification. The solo cantata’s anonymous librettist reflects on the story of Simeon, one of the feast’s prescribed scripture readings. St. Luke’s Gospel relates how the Holy Spirit tells Simeon that he will not die before seeing God’s chosen one. On visiting the temple in Jerusalem, he meets Mary, Joseph and their newborn son, cradles the infant Jesus in his arms and declares, “Lord, now let me die in peace”. Simeon’s longing for God’s deliverance from earthly troubles is reflected in the opening aria, “Ich habe genug”, originally written for bass voice, solo oboe and strings, and revised in 1735 for solo soprano, flute and strings. Bach captures the tender yet determined nature of Simeon’s wish “to depart from here” (Von hinnen zu scheiden): he has seen the saviour and taken him to his heart. The following recitative elaborates on the true believer’s contentment: “My consolation is this alone/That Jesus might be mine and I his own”. Bach’s central aria, the lullaby “Schlummert ein, ihr matten Augen” (“Slumber, you languid eyes”), forms a sublime contemplation during which all traces of world-weariness yield to “Sußen Friede, stille Ruh” (“Sweet peace, quiet rest”). A second recitative gives voice to thoughts of the moment, “the lovely ‘Now!’”, when the soul is finally free to join God, and ends by wishing the world goodnight. The spirit of the dance surges through the final aria, “Ich freue mich auf meinen Tod” (“I look forward to my death with joy”), carried by a lively recurring oboe theme and the solo vocalist’s virtuoso melodies.