'Ach Lieben Christen, Seid Getrost'
('Ye Christian people, weep no more')

Relayed from the Guildhall School of Music
The Singers
DORIS OWENS (Contralto)
TOM PICKERING (Tenor)
STANLEY RILEY (Bass)
THE WIRELESS CHORUS
The Players
Frank Almgill (Flute) John Field (Oboe) Ambrose Gauntlett (Violoncello)
Continuo - Eugene Cruft (Bass)
Leslie Woodgate
The Wireless Orchestra (Trumpet, Oboe, and Strings)
Conducted by Stanford Robinson

Among the later Cantatas in date of composition - about 1740 - this is also among the finest. The opening chorus on the chorale is truly magnificent-no lesser word will do The sense of comfort ('getrost') is set before us with exuberant happiness ; yet, side by side with the soaring, joyous motive - short ascending phrases-we hear ever and anon a faltering, hesitating theme. Bach no doubt had in mind the line of the text which recalls transgressions and well-merited punishment.
The Tenor aria, 'Wo wird in diesem Jammerthale?' ('How may I pass this vale of Sorrow? ') Is a specially effective one, with an interesting contrast in its hurrying middle section, and the chorale, sung by Soprano voice alone, with a beautiful accompaniment, makes a striking effect. There is one phrase which Schweitzer takes as illustrating the sweep of the sower's arm as he scatters the seed.
The text of the Alto aria is rather commonplace, but Bach's music, using the first line of the chorale in a very happy way, makes it into a fine expression of the redeemed soul's gladness.
The final chorale is nobly harmonized.

English text by D. Millar Craig. Copyright by the B.B.C., 1928.
I- Chorus:
Ye Christian people, weep no more, now all mankind rejoices.
For that the Lord hath chosen us, praise
Him with joyful voices.
Tho' we have all transgressed more, our sins, our sorrows Jesus bore,
Nor shall the sinner perish.
II.- Aria (Tenor): 'How may I pass this vale of sorrow?
Where shall my soul a refuge find?
The hand of God alone shall guide me; beneath His wing my God shall hide me
And lead me ev'n as I were blind.
III.- Recitative (Bass):
Thou, sinner, patiently must bear what thyself didst prepare by thine own evil-doing;
Of evil hast thou eaten, evil thou didst drink
Thy sins are like a waterflood wherein thou shalt be lost, o'erwhelmed thou shalt sink
As Adam in his pride did eat forbidden fruit
God's wisdom seeking;
Ev'n so thy pride hath been thy vain and boastful speaking ;
So now full iow brought down thou art, 0 man, so purify thy heart,
To meet thy death be not afraid ;
Repent thy sin and know salvation, from all thy woes find consolation,
And one at last with Him be made.
IV.- Chorale (Soprano):
No fruit the wind-blown seed brings forth on stony ground that falleth;
So to itself, our mortal flesh the .earth again recalleth,
And we to Paradise may win, where Thou,
Lord Jesus, lead'st us in to stand before the Father.
V.- Aria (Alto):
No more, O death, by fear my heart is shaken, For 'tis by thee my soul to peace is taken. It is decreed that all mankind must die.
With Simeon shall peace alone betide mr. My Saviour through this vale of tears shall guide me
And rail me home unto Himself on high.
VI.- Recitative (Tenor):
Today bethink thee of thy spirit, and yield thee to the Saviour blest,
Thy body consecrate to God alone, He hath made thee in His image.
He watcheth thee that so His love and care may be
In death and life made manifest.
VII. - Chorale:
We nil are His own children still, in waking hours and sleeping.
Our way He guideth by His will, our son, front Satan keeping.
For as in Adam all must die, so Jesus raiseth man on high,
To God he praise and glory.
Tire Cantata for next Sunday, Sept. 29, will be:-No. 10-
'Es erhub sich ein Streit.' ('A strife arose.')