Coupled Boys

A blossoming summer in nature provides the scenery for the boys' newfound affection (Exposition). However, once they have hiked to a hilltop, a storm strikes (Development). Braving the storm together brings the boys to appreciate each other even more than before (Recap).

From a musical perspective, the 1st movement is structured like that of a concerto. The themes are first heard in an instrumental introduction (ritornello) before the choir takes the lead in measure 17.

Exposition

• Measures 1-16. Ritornello/instrumental intro (C major). The first four notes of the melody function as a "main theme" for the cantata

  • 1-8. Theme A

  • 9-16. Theme B

• 17-24. "It was a summer day": Theme A, C major (tenor/bass a cappella)

• 25-32. "Squirrels scurried through the fields": transition to new key of G major (full choir a cappella)

• 33-40. "As we hiked ever higher": Theme B, G major (TB duet)

• 41-45. "When you gazed for a view": Codetta, G major (soprano solo)

Development

• 46-53. "Could it be so cozy and warm": fugue-style development on Theme A

• 54-67. Inverted theme (both A and B), F minor

• 68-75. "All storms will pass": retransition to C major, using inverted material from start of Development over a dominant (G) pedal-point

Recap

• 76-83. "When you are with me": Theme A, C major (full choir a cappella)

• 84-91. "I always love to hear your voice": transition through E-flat major (bass solo building up to full choir)

• 92-99. "From each end we have seen so much": Theme B, C major (TB duet)

• 100-110. repeat with full choir, passing through B-flat major before falling into an alto solo

Coda

• 111-end. "I love you": transposed version of measure 68; wraps up the movement using a tonic (C) pedal-point

The 2nd movement, "Your Affection", directly contrasts the "summer day" setting of the 1st movement. A cold winter night falls as the boys cuddle in each other's warmth and look forward to the return of spring.

Theme (rounded binary form), A major

• 1-8. Section A (men's solos); tenor sings the first phrase ("Fall of the night") and bass responds ("But we remember"). First 4 notes also recall the Main Theme from the 1st movement

• 9-16. Section A (full choir)

• 17-24. Section B (men's solos); bass begins ("I wish we could") and tenor answers ("'Cause your affection")

• 25-32. Section B (full choir)

Development

• 33-46. Inverted theme with women's solos

  • 33-40. "When winter strikes": alto, D minor

  • 41-46. "One gust of wind": soprano, B-flat minor

• 47-50. "Keep up our game": dialogue with thematic fragments builds up to a forceful climax in A major

• 51-56. "See that tomorrow": full a cappella choir fades into the return of the main theme

Recap (A major)

• 57-64. "Fall of the night": bass solos under shimmering piano chords before tenor joins a cappella

• 65-72. "I wish we could": full choir

Coda

• 73-end. "I always have my sweetheart": transposition of 9-12 with T/B duet

A playful melody in the intro teams up with some 1st movement themes as the boys celebrate the return of spring and summer.

• 1-10. Instrumental intro (with dominant pedal-point)

• 11-42. "Dancing into the season": Scherzo in A minor, binary form

• 43-58. "Cherish your every date": Trio in F major, binary form

• 59-66. "Followin' with his pace": transition back to scherzo (D.S. al coda)

• 67-71. Instrumental coda (transposed version of intro)

The rondo is a final reflection on the entire romantic tale, finishing with a triumphant harmony between two of the musical themes.

• 1-16. "To my sweetheart... How are you so beautiful": Theme A, C major; the two boys take turns soloing before finishing the melody together

• 17-24. "Light up the day": recalls the cantata's main theme for a transition to G major

• 25-32. "Remember we're together": Theme B, G major; 1st verse from "Your Affection"

• 33-40. Codetta: dominant pedal leading back to C major

• 41-48. "To my sweetheart... You bring an adventure": Theme A, C major; abbreviated

• 49-64. "It was a summer day": Theme C, F major; women's solos using the same melody found in "Youthful Love"

• 65-72. "Squirrels scurried through the fields": 1st movement theme continues with full choir

• 73-80. "Affection is perfection": Theme B, C major; 2nd verse from "Your Affection"

• 81-88. Codetta II: partial transposition of 33-40 with tonic pedal

• 89-104. "To my sweetheart" / "When you are with me": Themes A/C combined; women sing "To my sweetheart" while men sing "When you are with me"

• 105-108. Coda: triumphant final statement of Main Theme