To everyone who has supported me this year: 2020 was the year I opened my independent practice amid the coronavirus pandemic, and although I wondered how things would turn out, I somehow managed to reach the end of the year. This is entirely thanks to all of you. With the coronavirus still raging, I spent a great deal of time wondering what piece to choose for my seasonal greeting. Wanting everyone to welcome the New Year with peace of mind, I chose J. S. Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze.” Bach wrote this piece in 1713 to celebrate the 31st birthday of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels. It appears in the “Hunting Cantata,” BWV 208, as movement 9. Many people in Japan may know it as the theme music for the NHK radio program Morning Baroque. Since the Bach revival of the 19th century, it has been enjoyed in many different arrangements, but it was originally an aria with the strikingly simple scoring of soprano, 2 recorders, and basso continuo. The lyrics go something like this: When shepherds watch their flocks well, sheep may safely graze. When leaders govern wisely, people too live in peace, bringing happiness to their nations. At the close of a turbulent year, as both Japan and the United States welcome new leaders and the celebration of the birth of the Lamb of God approaches, could there be a more fitting piece to share? This performance is presented as a quartet, with the soprano part played on flute (Altus 1407RE), the recorder parts and basso continuo played on piano (Yamaha C2X Chippendale), and spinet (Tokai Spinet) and marimba (Korogi LV2400CC) joining the basso continuo. They are all beautiful instruments, and at the end all 4 instruments make an appearance together in a way befitting this year, so I hope you will watch through to the end. May this video bring you a moment of peace.
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