Klinget für Freuden, ihr Lärmen-Klarinen BuxWV 119

Although a large proportion of Buxtehude’s vocal works are sacred compositions, he also composed for secular occasions. In 1680 he composed the wedding aria Klinget für Freuden, ihr Lärmen-Klarinen BuxWV 119 for the marriage of the Swedish King Charles XI to the Danish Princess Ulrika Eleonora. At the same time the Peace of Lund, concluded in 1679 marking the end of an almost five-year-long war between Denmark-Norway and Sweden, was celebrated.

The five-verse wedding poem is sung by two sopranos and bass, and the basso continuo has two violins and two trumpets as accompanying instruments in the alternating instrumental ritornelli. Whilst the first and fourth verses express joy about the peace settlement between Denmark and Sweden, verses two and three are predominantly concerned with the bridal couple. Finally, in the last verse, God is asked for his blessing both for the peace settlement and for the royal couple.

The later sacred parody of the work for the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, New Year’s Day, as the aria Klinget mit Freuden, ihr klaren Klarinen BuxWV 65 cannot be more precisely dated. Now the trumpets proclaim to the Christian congregation about Jesus and the “brightly shining light” of the divine word.