'MIT FRIED' UND FREUD' ICH FARR' DAHIN'
('In Peace and Joy shall I depart')
Relayed from The GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC
DORIS OWENS (Contralto)
TOM PURVIS (Tenor)
STANLEY RILEY (Bass)
THE WIRELESS CHORUS
FRANK ALMGILL (Flute)
JOHN FIELD (Oboe d'Amore) LESLIE WOODGATE (Organ)
THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA
(Flute, Oboe d'Amore, Trumpet and Strings)
Conducted by STANFORD ROBINSON
This is one of a cycle of Cantatas for the Feasts of the Virgin Mary, nil of which have come down to us. It is based on a simple old chorale whose melody is given, as so often, to the soprano voices in the opening chorus, while the others and the orchestra illustrate the image which the text suggested to Bach. The motive he uses is one of hesitation, almost of stumbling, depicting the weary steps of the pilgrim who makes his way heavenward. Along with that there is woven a triplet figure eloquent of the joy with which the spirit loaves the world, a motive whose gladness is unmistakable. The end of the chorus, to the words ' My death is nought but sleeping,' is a specially beautiful and tender moment.
In the long and fine alto aria, Mine eyes, altho' by sorrow darkened,' there is still a suggestion of stepping forward, although now more joyously ; the music recalls that of the duet from Cantata No. 111, which was sung on November 17.
The bass recitative which comes next is one of the most splendid in all the Cantatas, and in it Bach combines the chorale with the recitative in a very splendid way. It comes to an end with a finely melodious passage. After that, tenor and bass have a duet in more animated style, Bach's music describing the idea of the wondrous light in a most expressive way, and the concluding chorale is simply, but nobly, harmonized.
I.- Chorus.
In peace and joy shall I depart, For God hath will'd it;
No doubting fears assail my heart, Peace hath fill'd it :
He my God vouchsafed hath.
My death is nought but sleeping.
II.- Aria (Alto).
Mine eyes, altho' by sorrow darken'd, To Thee, beloved Saviour, look;
Yea, though my frame asunder break, Yet hope my heart shall not forsake. He looketh down uno my passing. Who ne'er in death His own forsook.
III.- Ricitative (Bass) :
O wondrous loving heart that cv'nthc grave? of man abhorr'd-
Death's cruel sting and smart- hath not affrighted I
Thou Lord Jesus, God's only Son.
Thou art our Saviour, who all mankind to Thee hast won:
With heav'nly bliss our dark'ning eyes bast lighted.
Be near me, Lord, in that last hour,
And with the eyes of Faith let me behold Thy coniins, long a waited :
Bo intercede for me before my God Who all things hath created,
That I may be giv'n in His grace a blest abiding place,
Thou conqueror of sin and death o'er the grave victorious.
IV.- Duel (Tenor, Bass):
An everlasting light the Lord unto the world hath given.
And, heark'ning, mankind all hath heard On earth below His blessed Word' Ye faithful shall see Heaven.'
V.- Recitative (Alto) :
A boundless store of grace receiveth That man who trusteth Him alone;
His way shall be, where cruel thorns of spite abounded,
By love surrounded, and crown'd with peaceful victory ;
Yea, ev'ry sinner that believeth,
Into His grace the Lord receiveth.
VI.- Chorale.
O'er all mankind He sheds His light, None may see Him ;
Ev'n those that walk'd in darkest night, They shall see Him. He is Lord of Israel,
And all the earth shall praise Him.
(English Text by D. Millar Craig. Copyright B.B.C., 1929.)
The Cantata for next Sunday is :-
No. I - Wie schein leuchtet der Morgenstern
(How brightly shines the morning star).
(For 3.45 to 5.15 Programme see opposite page)