'WOHL OEM, DEB SICH AUF SEINE N
GOTT '
(' BLESSED HE THAT TRUSTETH IN his GOD')
Relayed from the GUILDHALL SCHOOL
OF Music
The Singer8
MARY HAMLIN (Soprano)
DORIS OWENS (Contralto)
TOM PICKERING (Tenor)
STUART ROBERTSON (Bass)
THE WIRELESS CHORUS
The Players
S. KNEALE KELLEY (Solo Violin)
LESLIE WOODGATE (Organ) THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA
(Oboe d'Amore, Trumpet and Strings)
Conducted by STANFORD ROBINSON
FOUNDED on a hymn by Johann Christoph Ruben , which Bach uses as the text of his opening chorus, this Cantata makes use in a very boautiful way also, of the old chorale—' Mach's mit mir Gott, nach doiner Güt' (Use me. Lord, according to Thy mercy). In the first chorus the tune of the chorale is given throughout to the soprano, while the other voices and the orchestra furnish melodious and beautiful commentaries on it. There is an orchestral introduction and more than one interlude for the instruments.
In the tenor aria which follows, the chorale melody can be hoard running through the accompaniment, and it appears again in the immense bass aria which is number four. It is unusual in form as well as being of very big proportions, and there are frequent changes of move. ment. One very striking change is where the voice sings for the first time of the light that shines about him from afar. Oboe and solo violin have beautiful parts in the accompaniment, and the orchestra pro. vides not only an introduction, but an interlude before the opening part is repeated at the end. Three contrasted themes are used in building up this great piece, first n twining figure which illustrates the heavy bonds about the spirit ; second an upward rising theme which depicts the Saviour's helping hand; and last a theme, familiar in many of the Cantatas, which Bach uses as descriptive of the Celestial Light.
It is this last which is used in the orchestral prelude to the aria again as its conclusion.
The chorale, which has been the basis of these three great numbers, is heard in its full and simple form at the end.
I.—Chorus:
How blest that man who sets his faith Upon the Rock of Ages 1
He fears not evil, strife nor death; Tho' loud the tempest rages,
Him alway peace shall compass round, Whoso with God hath refuge found.
II—Aria (Tenor) :
God is my Rock; in vain the raging. The strife that evil foes are waging From spite and hate my way is freed. You speakers of untruth I hear not; Your lying words I shall not heed,
Your malice, your despite I fear not.
III.—Recitative(Alto) :
The Saviour sendeth His anointed 'Mid cruet rav'ning wolves to lie About me evildoers flocking,
Blaspheming Hint and mocking, Lay snares for me ;
Yet thru' the Word, His saving help Is nigh, Unbarm'd my spirit still shall be.
IV.—Aria (Bass) :
The cruel world to grief had bound me, And to a weary burden, chain'd.
I look to my Saviour whose Hand hath sustain'd,
Whose Light doth alway shine around me. 1 know then surely none beside la man's true Comforter and Guide.
V.—Recitative (Soprano):
My toad of sin, mine own most grievous foe, Within my body liveth ;
Yet mine the peace the Saviour giveth.
I yield to God what is His own, the spirit
He awakcth,
That to Himself He taketh; so is my sin cast forth
And Satan overthrown.
VI.—Choral:
So can I bid thee. Satan, flee 1 No more shall death appal me I
And from the world am I set free, No ovil shall bofall me I
God is my Itock, mine Aid, my Shield : How blest arc they to Him that yield.
(English text byD. Millar Craig , Copyright
B.B.C., 1029.)
Cantatas for the next four Sundays are:-November 10. No. 140-
Wnchet auf. ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers wake.)
November 17. No. Ill
'Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit (What my God wills, that be done always)
November 24. No. 26
Ach wie Fluchtig, ach wie nightig (Ah, how fleeting, ..h, how worthless)
December 1. No. 62—
Nun komm, dcr Heidcn Heiland (Come Thou Saviour of the heathen).