J.S. Bach wrote the Hunting Cantata, BWV 208 to celebrate the birthday of one of his patrons, Duke Christian of Saxe-Weissenfels. It is a secular cantata which contains the aria, Schafe könen sicher weiden (Sheep may safely graze.) This aria has become one of Bach’s most enduring pieces. The aria is sung by Pales, Roman deity of shepherds and is meant as a tribute to the Duke’s beneficence. This arrangement fashions a popular Baroque piece into an effective offering for the instruments of the woodwind quintet.

Composer: Mark Questad
Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, F Horn & Bassoon
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 3:00 / 12 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: F