Cantata BWV 52
Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht!
Provenance

Thomas Braatz wrote (November 20, 2001):
BWV 52 - Provenance:

The autograph score and the original set of parts are in the Berlin State Library [Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Preußischer Kulturbesitz.]

1^st Performance:

According to Dürr (also accepted by the NBA KB] the 1st performance took place on November 24, 1726 and there is no proof of any kind that a later performance took place during Bach's lifetime.

Text:

The librettist has not yet been determined. In contrast to Salomo Frank's cantata text (BWV 163), this libretto relates only indirectly to the Gospel for the 23^rd Sunday after Trinity (Matthew 22: 15-22). Jesus is asked by the Pharisees if it is proper to pay taxes to Caesar. In this libretto the only connection is in Mvt. 2 and Mvt. 3. The deceit of the priests causes the libretto to meditate on the subject of falsehood in the world. For the Christian there is no other choice than to renounce the deceitful world and put faith only upon God's love and faithfulness.

The final chorale is the 1^st vs. of "In dich hab' ich gehoffet, Herr" by Adam Reusner (1533).

BWV 52 References: BGA: XII/2 | NBA: I/26 | BC: A 160 | Zwang: K 160 | First Published: BG, 1863 | Autograph score (facsimile): Berlin, Staatsbibliothek | Provenance | Bach Digital