Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1725

Publication Date

:

1894

Average_duration

:

3:29

Johann Sebastian Bach's 'So oft ich meine Tobackspfeife (II)', BWV 515b, is a humorous and lighthearted composition for voice and continuo. It is believed to have been composed in the early 1720s, during Bach's tenure as Kapellmeister in Cöthen. The piece is a parody of a popular folk song, and its text describes the joys of smoking a tobacco pipe. The composition consists of three movements. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic aria in 3/8 time, with a playful melody that imitates the sound of a smoking pipe. The second movement is a recitative that describes the pleasures of smoking, with the voice imitating the sound of inhaling and exhaling smoke. The final movement is a da capo aria that repeats the melody of the first movement, with added embellishments and variations. The piece is notable for its humorous and irreverent tone, which is unusual for Bach's sacred and secular works. The text celebrates the pleasures of smoking, which was a popular pastime in Bach's time, but was also considered a vice by some religious and moral authorities. The music is light and playful, with a catchy melody that is easy to sing and remember. Overall, 'So oft ich meine Tobackspfeife (II)', BWV 515b, is a charming and entertaining composition that showcases Bach's versatility and sense of humor. It is a testament to his ability to adapt popular music to his own style and to create works that are both musically sophisticated and accessible to a wide audience.

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