aufführeten

English translation: led (the musical procession)

14:47 Jan 20, 2004

German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary

German term or phrase: aufführeten

„Gegen 9 Uhr Abends brachten Ihro Majestät die allhiesigen Studirenden eine allerunterthänigste Abend Music mit Trompeten und Paucken, so Hr. Capell-Meister Joh. Sebastian Bach Cant. Zu St. Thom. Componiret. Wobey 600 Studenten lauter Wachs Fackeln trugen, und 4. Grafen als Marrschälle die Music aufführeten. Der Zug geschahe aus dem schwartzen Bret durch die RitterStraße, Brühl und Catharinen Straße herauf, bis ans Königs Logis, als die Music an der Wage angelanget, giengen auf derselben Trompeten und Paucken, wie den auch solches vom Rath Hause, durch ein Chor geschahe. Bey Übergabe des Carmens wurden die 4. Grafen zum HandKuß gelaßen, nachgehends sind Ihro Königliche Majestät nebst dero Königlichen Frau Gemahlin u. Königlichen Printzen, so lange die Music gedauret, nicht vom Fenster weggegangen, sondern haben solche gnädigst angehöret, und Ihr. Majestät hertzlich wohlgefalen.“

This is from the Leipzig Chronicle for October 5, 1734. These “Huldigungskantaten” were normally preceded and followed by marches played by 3 trumpets and drums, the music of which is lost in all cases but one (BWV 207a), and such a march is what I assume was played, cyclically repeated, during the procession: the performance of Bach´s Drama per Musica (BWV 215), with singers and a full orchestra, presumably did not start until everyone was in position.

In a musical context, “aufführen” often means “perform”. But the trumpeters and drummer would certainly have been the Leipzig Stadtpfeifer, led by Gottfried Reiche (http://abel.hive.no/trumpet/bach/reiche/). I know they had a special semi-noble status deriving from their long tradition, but “Grafen”?

Chris Rowson (X) KudoZ activity Questions: 529 (none open) Answers: 1511
Local time: 09:29

English translation:led (the musical procession)

Explanation:
I may be oversimplifying, but they seem to be parading (or at least on their way somewhere), and I interpret the Grafen as simply marshals/guards of honor who literally head up (auf führen) the rest of the group. They're in the lead. I wouldn't take "die Music" too literally here; I think it just means the musicians, or the rest of the group...

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Michele Johnson
Germany
Local time: 09:29

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led (the musical procession)

Michele Johnson

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aufführeten

led (the musical procession)

Michele Johnson
Germany
Local time: 09:29
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English
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