Relayed from the Midland Institute,
Paradise Street, Birmingham
' LOBE DEN HERREN'
'PRAISE HIM THE FATHER'
KATE WINTER (Soprano)
ESTHER COLEMAN (Contralto)
TOM PICKERING (Tenor)
ARTHUR CRANMER (Bass)
CYRIL CHRISTOPHER (Continno)
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO CHORUS and ORCHESTRA
(Conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS )
This is one of a series of fifteen simple chorale cantatas composed about 1730, many of which have already been broadcast.
The first chorus, splendidly exultant, is a fantasia on the chorale ; the melody is given throughout to the soprano voices, the others embellishing it with figures built up from the same tune. The orchestra, which includes trumpets and drums, plays interludes between the lines of the hymn, and these, too, as well as the accompaniment, are closely akin to the chorale.
The alto voice follows with an aria which is an elaborate form of the chorale, and in the duet for soprano and bass, the same melody is treated with even greater independence. There it is in minor as in the following tenor aria, where the melody is given to the trumpet.
The final chorale, with parts for three trumpets in the accompaniment, has a truly noble and joyous effect.
English Text by D. Millar Craig.
Copyright, B.B.C, 1929.
I.—Chorus.
Praise Him, the Father, the Almighty, in glory who reigneth,
Thee. 0 my worshipping spirit, 'tis He that sustaineth.
Come then and raise, psalms and hosannas of praise.
Music the Father ordaineth.
II. Aria (Alto)
Praise Him. the Father, for all things who tenderly caieth
As though on wings of an eagle thy spirit
He beareth,
He ieadeth thee, tho' tbou His hand may'st not see,
And all thy way He prepareth.
III. Duet (Soprano, Bass)
Praise Him. the Father, who in His own image hath made thee,
Who gives thee health, in affliction who alway doth aid thee;
In thy sore need. when thou hast cried unto
God, ever His ltight hand hath stay'd thee.
IV. Aria (Tenor).
Praise Him. the Father, who hath thee blest, who thee defendeth.
Still from the Heavens, as rain falls, his mercy He sendeth.
Mark thou well what the Almighty hath done.
His Love ne'er fadeth nor endeth.
V. Choral.
Praise Him, the Father, with all your heart all ye that know Him.
All that have life and breath, faith ey'n as Abraham's show Him.
He Is thy light,
Thro' our life's day and Death's night; All that is ours do we owe Him.
Cantatas for the next two Sundays are.-
August 25. No. 95-
' CHRISTUS DER 1ST MEIX LEBES.' (' Christ my All.')
September 1. No. 78-
'JESU DER DU MEIN SEELE.'
('Jesu, Thou who art Salvation.')