Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, BWV 230

Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, 230, is a motet by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Words

The motet draws its text from Psalm 117 Verses 1-2.
A couple of Bach's other motets are known to have been composed for funerals in Leipzig and set texts such as the Epistle to the Romans. The celebratory text of Lobet den Herrn does not suggest a farewell to the world, indicating that it was composed for a different type of occasion.

History

It is not known when the work was composed. Some scholars, for example Martin Geck, have questioned the attribution to Bach. In the twentieth century the authoritative Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis catalogue included it in a set of motets. In retrospect, the BWV numbering seems somewhat arbitrary as a grouping of the Bach motets: recent scholarship includes more works among the motets. However, Lobet den Herrn has often been recorded with others from BWV 225–229.
It is the only one of the set to be scored for four voices. It is also unusual in that instrumental accompaniment is specified.

Publication

19th century editions

It was first published in 1821. The publisher claimed to have had access to an autograph score.
In 1892 it was published with other motets in volume 39 of the Bach-Gesellschaft-Ausgabe, the first edition of the composer's complete works. The editor was Franz Wüllner.

20th century editions

It was included in the New Bach Edition in 1965.

21st century editions

It was published by Carus-Verlag as one of seven motets edited by Uwe Wolf. The editor acknowledges some doubt about the authenticity of the work, explaining that "in contrast to the 'classical' number of six works we have published seven compositions in this volume of motets: five undoubtedly authentic works by Johann Sebastian Bach and two whose authenticity is less certain".

Discography

Lobet den Herrn has often been recorded with other motets by Bach. These recorded sets of motets are partially listed at Motets by Johann Sebastian Bach, discography.