Bach Cantata Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen Mar 3, 2013 Bach Cantata Series 100th Anniversary Celebration Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Bach Cantata Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen Mar 3, 2013 Bach Cantata Series 100th Anniversary Celebration Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Welcome! We are excited that you are here with us today. The 2013 concert series was made possible through a generous donation. 2013 is also year 101 for Bethlehem Lutheran Church and so we are happy to serve our community with the gift of music a Lutheran tradition. Johann Sebastian Bach s church cantatas are perfect examples of this tradition. 40 days before Easter is the season of Lent in the church calendar. During Lent, Christians take time to examine the health of their relationship with God, and allow God to remove the rebellion in their hearts in order to enjoy a reconciled relationship with him, made possible by his suffering for us on the cross. We chose Cantata 146 for the text and music that so beautifully expresses Christ having to give up his God-life and spend three years on earth as God-man, and suffer and die for our sins. Rev. Fred Rink Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Program order Organ solo Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt Is completely corrupted by Adam s fall Cantata Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen 1. Sinfonia 2. Chorus 3. Alto Aria 4. Soprano Recitative 5. Soprano Aria 6. Tenor Recitative 7. Tenor & Bass Duet 8. Chorale BWV 637 BWV 146 5 minute intermission Bass solo Ich habe genug BWV 82: 1 Organ solo Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ I call to you Lord Jesus Christ Kommst du nun, Jesu, von Himmel herunter Will you now, Jesus, (come) down from Heaven BWV 639 BWV 650 2013 concert season kick-off refreshments in the Foyer
The story The value of Bach s sacred cantata text was first introduced to me in 1996 when I organized my first Bach canata with Dr. Melvin P. Unger, who authored Handbook to Bach s Sacred Cantata Texts. Since then, in learning different cantatas, I ve come to appreciate that Bach had a deep understanding of biblical theology. He spent a large part of his life writing church cantatas, and those cantatas follow the life of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and the growth of the early church. Helmuth Rilling, founder of many Bach festivals and academies worldwide, wrote, J. S. Bach s church cantatas are the center of his lifework. Really to know Bach, one must study his cantatas. To understand the relation between their text and scripture which in Bach s time was common knowledge is of utmost importance. In our Bach Cantata series, we will attempt to provide the story behind the text, and the corresponding scripture text. In the story so far: God first created the world, man and woman: And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. (Genesis 2:15) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, Did God actually say, You shall not eat of any tree in the garden? (Genesis 3:1) Adam and Eve chose to listen to the serpent and disobeyed God by eating a fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When God was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, Adam and Eve, realizing that they were naked, hid themselves from the presence of God. This marked the first instance of our separation from God, which continues to this day. Although the punishment for disobedience was death, God, in His mercy, provided a way out. He promised delivery by way of a serpent crusher (His son, Jesus Christ) in a future generation: The Lord God said to the serpent... I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)
Fast forward to the last few weeks of Christ s life on earth, where he starts heading to Jerusalem and towards his final task... From Jesus point of view, he knew exactly the type of death he would face and the unbearable separation from God he would experience while he lay dead for three days. From the disciples point of view, no one really expected that the Messiah would suffer, they were expecting another great warrior like King David. The music powerfully weaves in these themes, the orchestra playing out the plan of God, and the organ solo assuming the role of Jesus, God in the body of man. The Handbook to Bach s Sacred Cantata Texts quotes Acts 14:22 as the reference for this Cantata. Close examination of the text of song numbers 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 reveals that the text is often written in the voice of Christ. The suffering of Jesus and His glory is tied together. Unless He suffers and dies for us, we cannot experience the reward of being rescued and brought into a restored relationship with Him. Through the tribulation of Christ, we can enter into the kingdom of God. And we too, must be willing to put aside our own agendas and trust God to show us how He wants us to live. The story continues on April 21, with Cantata 4 and Easter Oratorio 249:...And Christ, after conquering death, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, while God puts His enemies under His feet. Hence, like many of King David s Psalms, Bach ends the cantata with the hope that we have if we accept Him and trust in Him to look foward to enjoying God s glory when we see Him face to face. Pauline Hale Producer
Canata 146 1 Sinfonia Narrative: On the road to Jerusalem, after healing a blind man, Jesus began to reveal to his disciples what is about to happen to him. 2 Chorus Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen. We must through much tribulation into the kingdom of God enter. (enter into the kingdom of God) Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 3 Alto Aria Ich will nach dem Himmel zu, I would to heaven (go) Schnödes Sodom, ich und du Sind nunmehr geschieden. Base Sodom, I and thou are henceforth parted Meines Bleibens ist nicht hier, Denn ich lebe doch bei dir Nimmermehr in Frieden. For I can indeed nevermore live in peace with thee. Jude 1:7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. John 16:33 [Jesus said] I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
4 Soprano Recitative Ach! wer doch schon im Himmel wär! Ah, if only I were already in heaven Wie dränget mich nicht die böse Welt! How oppresses me not the evil world! (this evil world oppresses me in every way) Mit Weinen steh ich auf, Mit Weinen leg ich mich zu Bette, With weeping rise I up, with weeping lay I me to bed Wie trüglich wird mir nachgestellt! How treacherously am I assailed! Herr! merke, schaue drauf, Sie hassen mich, und ohne Schuld, Lord! Mark, look upon it, they hate me and without cause, Als wenn die Welt die Macht, Mich gar zu töten hätte; As if he world (had) the might even to put me to death; Und leb ich denn mit Seufzen und Geduld Verlassen und veracht, And even when I live with sighing and forbearance, forsaken and despised, So hat sie noch an meinem Leide Die größte Freude. Even in my suffering, the world takes the greatest pleasure. Mein Gott, das fällt mir schwer. My God, I find that hard! Ach! wenn ich doch, Mein Jesu, heute noch Bei dir im Himmel wär! Ah, if I only (were), my Jesus, today with thee in heaven! Isaiah 53:3 Isaiah 53:4 Isaiah 53:5 He was despised and rejected by men Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
5 Soprano Aria Ich säe meine Zähren Mit bangem Herzen aus. I sow my tears with anxious heart Jedoch mein Herzeleid Wird mir die Herrlichkeit Nevertheless my heart s grief will for me (turn to) glory Am Tage der seligen Ernte gebären. On the day of blessed harvest (to see all the fruits bear). Psalm 125:5 John 16:20 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 6 Tenor Recitative Ich bin bereit, Mein Kreuz geduldig zu ertragen; I am prepared, my crosss patiently to bear; Ich weiß, daß alle meine Plagen Nicht wert der Herrlichkeit, I know, that all my torments are not worthly (to be compared with) the glory Die Gott an den erwählten Scharen Und auch an mir wird offenbaren. which God will reveal to the chosen multitudes and also to me Itzt wein ich, da das Weltgetümmel Bei meinem Jammer fröhlich scheint. Now I weep, while the world appears to enjoy my misery. Bald kommt die Zeit, Da sich mein Herz erfreut, Soon comes the time when my heart will rejoice, Und da die Welt einst ohne Tröster weint. And when the world without comforters will weep. Wer mit dem Feinde ringt und schlägt, He who with the foe wrestles and fights, Dem wird die Krone beigelegt;
On him is the crown be placed; Denn Gott trägt keinen nicht mit Händen in dem Himmel. For God carries no one with (his) hands to heaven (we can only go to heaven through the righteousness of Christ) Isaiah 53:12 because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. Matthew 16:24-27 Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 7 Tenor & Bass Duet Wie will ich mich freuen, wie will ich mich laben, How I will rejoice, how I will indulge in comfort, Wenn alle vergängliche Trübsal vorbei! When all transient affliction is past! Da glänz ich wie Sterne und leuchte wie Sonne, Then glitter I (will) like (the) stars and shine like (the) sun Da störet die himmlische selige Wonne Then disturbs (that) heavenly blessed rapture Kein Trauern, Heulen und Geschrei. No grieving, wailing and (no) crying. Revelation 21:4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, fthe dwelling place1 of God is with man. He will gdwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
8 Chorale Lob und Dank sei dir gesungen Vater der Barmherzigkeit praise and thanks be to you sung Father of Mercy Daß mir ist mein Werk gelungen Daß du mich so hoch erfreut That to me is my work succeeded That you love me so delighted Und vor Sünden mancher Art And before sins of different kinds So getreulich hast bewahrt So faithfully have kept (you have faithfully kept me away from sins of different kinds) Auch die Feind hinweggetrieben und ich unversehrt geblieben Also, the enemy driven away and I remained unharmed Cantata 82 1 Bass Aria Ich habe genug, I have enough, Ich habe den Heiland, das Hoffen der Frommen, I have the Savior, the hope of the righteous, Auf meine begierigen Arme genommen; In my eager arms taken (in my eager arms) Ich habe genug! I have enough Ich hab ihn erblickt, I have him seen Mein Glaube hat Jesum ans Herze gedrückt; My faith has Jesus to-my heart pressed; Nun wünsch ich, noch heute mit Freuden Now wish I, yet today with joy Von hinnen zu scheiden. From here to depart (now I wish even today I can depart to heaven to enjoy God s glory).
Many thanks to all who worked hard to make this happen! Soloists Organ Soprano Alto Tenor Bass David Poon Pauline Hale Angela Larsen Marlin Toftager Peter Alexander Orchestra Violin 1 Violin 2 Viola Cello Bass Flute Oboe/oboe d amore 1 Oboe/oboe d amore 2 Angela Malmberg Jenny Essers Genevieve MacKay Marina Hasselberg Wilmer Fawcett Soile Stratkauskas Beth Orson Marea Chernoff Behind the scenes Vocal coach Rehearsal accompanist Production coordinator Producer Frédérik Robert Ed Norman Wilmer Fawcett Pauline Hale
Welcome! We are excited that you are here with us today. The 2013 concert series was made possible through a generous donation. 2013 is also year 101 for Bethlehem Lutheran Church and so we are happy to serve our community with the gift of music a Lutheran tradition. Johann Sebastian Bach s church cantatas are perfect examples of this tradition. 40 days before Easter is the season of Lent in the church calendar. During Lent, Christians take time to examine the health of their relationship with God, and allow God to remove the rebellion in their hearts in order to enjoy a reconciled relationship with him, made possible by his suffering for us on the cross. We chose Cantata 146 for the text and music that so beautifully expresses Christ having to give up his God-life and spend three years on earth as God-man, and suffer and die for our sins. Rev. Fred Rink Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Program order Organ solo Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt Is completely corrupted by Adam s fall Cantata Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen 1. Sinfonia 2. Chorus 3. Alto Aria 4. Soprano Recitative 5. Soprano Aria 6. Tenor Recitative 7. Tenor & Bass Duet 8. Chorale BWV 637 BWV 146 5 minute intermission Bass solo Ich habe genug BWV 82: 1 Organ solo Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ I call to you Lord Jesus Christ Kommst du nun, Jesu, von Himmel herunter Will you now, Jesus, (come) down from Heaven BWV 639 BWV 650 2013 concert season kick-off refreshments in the Foyer
The story The value of Bach s sacred cantata text was first introduced to me in 1996 when I organized my first Bach canata with Dr. Melvin P. Unger, who authored Handbook to Bach s Sacred Cantata Texts. Since then, in learning different cantatas, I ve come to appreciate that Bach had a deep understanding of biblical theology. He spent a large part of his life writing church cantatas, and those cantatas follow the life of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and the growth of the early church. Helmuth Rilling, founder of many Bach festivals and academies worldwide, wrote, J. S. Bach s church cantatas are the center of his lifework. Really to know Bach, one must study his cantatas. To understand the relation between their text and scripture which in Bach s time was common knowledge is of utmost importance. In our Bach Cantata series, we will attempt to provide the story behind the text, and the corresponding scripture text. In the story so far: God first created the world, man and woman: And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. (Genesis 2:15) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, Did God actually say, You shall not eat of any tree in the garden? (Genesis 3:1) Adam and Eve chose to listen to the serpent and disobeyed God by eating a fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When God was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, Adam and Eve, realizing that they were naked, hid themselves from the presence of God. This marked the first instance of our separation from God, which continues to this day. Although the punishment for disobedience was death, God, in His mercy, provided a way out. He promised delivery by way of a serpent crusher (His son, Jesus Christ) in a future generation: The Lord God said to the serpent... I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)
Fast forward to the last few weeks of Christ s life on earth, where he starts heading to Jerusalem and towards his final task... From Jesus point of view, he knew exactly the type of death he would face and the unbearable separation from God he would experience while he lay dead for three days. From the disciples point of view, no one really expected that the Messiah would suffer, they were expecting another great warrior like King David. The music powerfully weaves in these themes, the orchestra playing out the plan of God, and the organ solo assuming the role of Jesus, God in the body of man. The Handbook to Bach s Sacred Cantata Texts quotes Acts 14:22 as the reference for this Cantata. Close examination of the text of song numbers 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 reveals that the text is often written in the voice of Christ. The suffering of Jesus and His glory is tied together. Unless He suffers and dies for us, we cannot experience the reward of being rescued and brought into a restored relationship with Him. Through the tribulation of Christ, we can enter into the kingdom of God. And we too, must be willing to put aside our own agendas and trust God to show us how He wants us to live. The story continues on April 21, with Cantata 4 and Easter Oratorio 249:...And Christ, after conquering death, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, while God puts His enemies under His feet. Hence, like many of King David s Psalms, Bach ends the cantata with the hope that we have if we accept Him and trust in Him to look foward to enjoying God s glory when we see Him face to face. Pauline Hale Producer
Canata 146 1 Sinfonia Narrative: On the road to Jerusalem, after healing a blind man, Jesus began to reveal to his disciples what is about to happen to him. 2 Chorus Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen. We must through much tribulation into the kingdom of God enter. (enter into the kingdom of God) Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 3 Alto Aria Ich will nach dem Himmel zu, I would to heaven (go) Schnödes Sodom, ich und du Sind nunmehr geschieden. Base Sodom, I and thou are henceforth parted Meines Bleibens ist nicht hier, Denn ich lebe doch bei dir Nimmermehr in Frieden. For I can indeed nevermore live in peace with thee. Jude 1:7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. John 16:33 [Jesus said] I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
4 Soprano Recitative Ach! wer doch schon im Himmel wär! Ah, if only I were already in heaven Wie dränget mich nicht die böse Welt! How oppresses me not the evil world! (this evil world oppresses me in every way) Mit Weinen steh ich auf, Mit Weinen leg ich mich zu Bette, With weeping rise I up, with weeping lay I me to bed Wie trüglich wird mir nachgestellt! How treacherously am I assailed! Herr! merke, schaue drauf, Sie hassen mich, und ohne Schuld, Lord! Mark, look upon it, they hate me and without cause, Als wenn die Welt die Macht, Mich gar zu töten hätte; As if he world (had) the might even to put me to death; Und leb ich denn mit Seufzen und Geduld Verlassen und veracht, And even when I live with sighing and forbearance, forsaken and despised, So hat sie noch an meinem Leide Die größte Freude. Even in my suffering, the world takes the greatest pleasure. Mein Gott, das fällt mir schwer. My God, I find that hard! Ach! wenn ich doch, Mein Jesu, heute noch Bei dir im Himmel wär! Ah, if I only (were), my Jesus, today with thee in heaven! Isaiah 53:3 Isaiah 53:4 Isaiah 53:5 He was despised and rejected by men Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
5 Soprano Aria Ich säe meine Zähren Mit bangem Herzen aus. I sow my tears with anxious heart Jedoch mein Herzeleid Wird mir die Herrlichkeit Nevertheless my heart s grief will for me (turn to) glory Am Tage der seligen Ernte gebären. On the day of blessed harvest (to see all the fruits bear). Psalm 125:5 John 16:20 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 6 Tenor Recitative Ich bin bereit, Mein Kreuz geduldig zu ertragen; I am prepared, my crosss patiently to bear; Ich weiß, daß alle meine Plagen Nicht wert der Herrlichkeit, I know, that all my torments are not worthly (to be compared with) the glory Die Gott an den erwählten Scharen Und auch an mir wird offenbaren. which God will reveal to the chosen multitudes and also to me Itzt wein ich, da das Weltgetümmel Bei meinem Jammer fröhlich scheint. Now I weep, while the world appears to enjoy my misery. Bald kommt die Zeit, Da sich mein Herz erfreut, Soon comes the time when my heart will rejoice, Und da die Welt einst ohne Tröster weint. And when the world without comforters will weep. Wer mit dem Feinde ringt und schlägt, He who with the foe wrestles and fights, Dem wird die Krone beigelegt;
On him is the crown be placed; Denn Gott trägt keinen nicht mit Händen in dem Himmel. For God carries no one with (his) hands to heaven (we can only go to heaven through the righteousness of Christ) Isaiah 53:12 because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. Matthew 16:24-27 Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 7 Tenor & Bass Duet Wie will ich mich freuen, wie will ich mich laben, How I will rejoice, how I will indulge in comfort, Wenn alle vergängliche Trübsal vorbei! When all transient affliction is past! Da glänz ich wie Sterne und leuchte wie Sonne, Then glitter I (will) like (the) stars and shine like (the) sun Da störet die himmlische selige Wonne Then disturbs (that) heavenly blessed rapture Kein Trauern, Heulen und Geschrei. No grieving, wailing and (no) crying. Revelation 21:4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, fthe dwelling place1 of God is with man. He will gdwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
8 Chorale Lob und Dank sei dir gesungen Vater der Barmherzigkeit praise and thanks be to you sung Father of Mercy Daß mir ist mein Werk gelungen Daß du mich so hoch erfreut That to me is my work succeeded That you love me so delighted Und vor Sünden mancher Art And before sins of different kinds So getreulich hast bewahrt So faithfully have kept (you have faithfully kept me away from sins of different kinds) Auch die Feind hinweggetrieben und ich unversehrt geblieben Also, the enemy driven away and I remained unharmed Cantata 82 1 Bass Aria Ich habe genug, I have enough, Ich habe den Heiland, das Hoffen der Frommen, I have the Savior, the hope of the righteous, Auf meine begierigen Arme genommen; In my eager arms taken (in my eager arms) Ich habe genug! I have enough Ich hab ihn erblickt, I have him seen Mein Glaube hat Jesum ans Herze gedrückt; My faith has Jesus to-my heart pressed; Nun wünsch ich, noch heute mit Freuden Now wish I, yet today with joy Von hinnen zu scheiden. From here to depart (now I wish even today I can depart to heaven to enjoy God s glory).
Many thanks to all who worked hard to make this happen! Soloists Organ Soprano Alto Tenor Bass David Poon Pauline Hale Angela Larsen Marlin Toftager Peter Alexander Orchestra Violin 1 Violin 2 Viola Cello Bass Flute Oboe/oboe d amore 1 Oboe/oboe d amore 2 Angela Malmberg Jenny Essers Genevieve MacKay Marina Hasselberg Wilmer Fawcett Soile Stratkauskas Beth Orson Marea Chernoff Behind the scenes Vocal coach Rehearsal accompanist Production coordinator Producer Frédérik Robert Ed Norman Wilmer Fawcett Pauline Hale