Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 36: The lively hunt is all my heart's desire, BWV 208 - Sheep May Safely Graze

by Johann Sebastian Bach

Performer: Martha Goldstein

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Each day, listen to the musical selection.
• Practice reciting the title of the composition and the composer's name.
• Read the synopsis.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Spring swinging into summer, flowers thriving, and people basking in the sunshine, you'll listen to the final selection that embodies the freedom of summer. Listen to this music as you enjoy playing outside on the green grass. Composed in 1713, Johann Sebastian Bach's piece is known by multiple names - 'The lively hunt is all my heart's desire,' 'Sheep May Safely Graze,' 'Hunting Cantata,' and 'Birthday Cantata.' The first three come from the lyrics which accompany this piece. It is also called 'Birthday Cantata,' because it was commissioned for a birthday by a wealthy benefactor.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Describe the Music

After listening to the music, describe and discuss what you heard.

Read the list of adjectives below. Select those that describe the music or think up additional adjectives.

• Happy
• Sad
• Quiet
• Loud
• Fast
• Slow
• Scary
• Dreamy
• Magical
• Rhythmic
• Dignified

Activity 2: Draw and Define the Music

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, draw a flock of sheep grazing on a grassy field.
• A group of sheep is often called a 'flock' or a 'herd.'
• The flock of sheep in the picture is 'grazing,' or eating grass in a field.

Review

Question 1

What are the titles of the music?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The titles are 'The lively hunt is all my heart's desire,’ 'Sheep May Safely Graze,' 'Hunting Cantata,' and ‘Birthday Cantata.'

1 / 4

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The composer is Johann Sebastian Bach.

2 / 4

Question 3

What is a 'flock' of sheep?

3 / 4

Answer 3

A 'flock' of sheep is a group of sheep.

3 / 4

Question 4

What does 'graze' mean?

4 / 4

Answer 4

'Graze' means to eat grass in a field.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. What are the titles of the music? The titles are 'The lively hunt is all my heart's desire,’ 'Sheep May Safely Graze,' 'Hunting Cantata,' and ‘Birthday Cantata.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Johann Sebastian Bach.
3. What is a 'flock' of sheep? A 'flock' of sheep is a group of sheep.
4. What does 'graze' mean? 'Graze' means to eat grass in a field.

References

'Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd, BWV 208.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.