WAS WILLST DU DICH BETRIEBEN?'
(Why would'st thou Grieve?)
GLADYS SWEENEY (Soprano)
ARTHUR WILKES (Tenor)
REGINALD WHITEHEAD (Bass)
ST. Ass's Choir
THE NORTHERN WIRELESS ORCHESTRA
Conducted by T. H. MORRISON
At the Organ, GEORGE PRITCHARD
S.B. from Manchester
This is one of the fifteen so-called 'Chorale Cantatas' - based throughout on simple and splendidly dignified chorales - composed during the years 1728-1734, probably about the end of that period. They throw a clear light on Bach's amazing richness of invention: each of these many choruses, all built on the same somewhat stereotyped plan, has its own strongly marked individual character. The orchestral accompaniments, especially of the solo numbers, offer striking examples of Bach's delight in seizing on some image which the text offered him, and setting it before us with a wealth of musical illustration. In the bass aria, 'auf ihn magst dues wagen' ('trust thou in Him to guide thee'), the first violins rush about in the most joyous way, while the bass of the organ part flows in a quieter happiness: even more impressive is the way in which the tenor voice and the organ combine to depict the turnings and twistings of Satan in the aria. 'Wenn auch gleich aus der Hollen' ('E'en hadst thou been assailed.')
The opening number is a fantasia on the chorale 'Von Gott will ich nicht lassen' ('From God I shall not depart'), the melody in the soprano, with a rich accompaniment for two flutes, two oboes d'amore, violin, viola, and organ (continuo): the final chorale (the same one) has also melodious parts for orchestra and organ in 6-8 rhythm.
I.-Chorus.
Why would'st thou grieve in sadness? My soul; One loves thee well; Yield thee to Him in gladness, To Him, Immanuel: Trust thou in Him alone, Thy feet 'tis He that guideth And raiment meet provideth For all who are His own.
II.-Recitative (Bass):
For God forsakes man never, Whose faith in Him is sure ; His own He gnardeth ever.
Whose hearts are staunch and pure, Whatever may betide.
So be thou ne'er affrighted, With jov thy way if lighted, For God is by thy side.
III.-Aria (Bass):
Trust thon in Him to guide thee, Believe with all thy might.
And He will aye provide thee With ev'ry good and right. Whatever God ordains That can no man alter,
His word can never falter, His truth ahray remains.
IV.-Aria (Tenor) :
E'en liadst thou been assailed By Satan nnd his host,
His pow'r had nought availed, Thy soul thou hadst not lost:
E'en Hell thou mayst withstand. In guilt would Satan bind thee,
Thou canst him put behind thee - For God is thy right hand.
V.-Aria (Soprano):
In righteousness He reigneth, And watcheth over thee,
His will no man disdaineth, What e'er his pow'r may be. And if God say us nay,
Our own way still pursuing Leads but to our undoing-God's will we must obey.
VI.-Aria (Tenor)
Thyway, 0 Saviour, choosing, I yield myself to Thee, All other gifts refusing
Save what Thou off'rest me. And come Thou soon or late, Thy time is best, Thy season; 1 question not nor reason-Believing still, I wait!
VII.-Choral:
Let me show forth Thy praises Thro' all my life's long day ; In song my spirit raises
Its thanks to Thee alway. O Holy Three in One !
Thy grace for aye endureth, And from all harm securethj 0 Father, Spirit, Son.
(English Text by D. Millar Craig , Copyright BBC. 1928
Cantatas for the next four Sundays are:â
Dec. 15. No. 125â' Mit Fried und Freud fahr' ich dahin.' (' In peace and joy I now depart.')
Dec. 22. No. 1-' Wie schön leuehtet dor
Morgenstern.' ('How fair appears the mornin" star.')
Dec. 29. No. 122â' Das neugeborne Kindelein.' (Brightly shines The new-born Babe).
Jan. 5. Nos. 68 and 50â'Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid' (' Oh God, how many a grieving Heart') 'Nun ist das Heilund die Kraft ('Now shall the grace')
(For 3.45 to 5.45 Programmes see opposite page)
