'NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND '
('Come Thou, the Heathen's Saviour')
Relayed from THE GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC
MARY HAMLIN (Soprano) DORIS OWENS (Contralto) ERIC GREENE (Tenor)
STUART ROBERTSON (Bass)
THE WIRELESS CHORUS
LESLIE WOODGATE (Organ)
THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA (Oboes, Trumpet and Strings)
Conducted by STANFORD ROBINSON
ANOTHER Cantata based on this text has already been broadcast. It was one of the early Cantatas, and this one dates from some twenty years later, belonging to that group of fifteen simple chorale cantatas almost all of which have by now, been included in the broadcast series. The first Chorus is built up on the chorale in the way with which listeners are now familiar, and the splendid orchestral accompaniment is founded mainly on one of those motives of happiness which Bach uses so often with such a fine sense of exaltation.
The two arias, both for men's voices, are among the best examples of solo numbers in the Cantatas, and the one for tenor is specially melodious and touching. When the bass voice sings of the Saviour's conflict with Evil, the accompaniment, hold and vigorous, is built up on fine of the motives of strife and tumult with which Bach sets before us the image of battle and contending forces. The Cantata, much simpler than the other on the same text, Is none the less, a noble piece of-sacred music.
I.âChorus :
Come Thou, the heathens' Saviour, Whom the Virgin Mother bore.
All the earth doth worship Thee, God will'd that so it might be.
II.âAria (Tenor):
How wonderful are all His ways and His myst'ries:
In might He appeareth, the Lord of mankind...
The treasures of Heav'n are revealed before us,
And man in his need wondrous manna shall find.
Our hearts it awakens and might sheddeth o'er us.
III.âRecitative (Bass):
So from His heav'nly Throne, His might and Crown,
The Son of God came down.
As man the Prince of Juda came.
Our way with joyful heart He fareth, And for the fall'n His mercy careth.
0 glorious Light, of wond'rous Love th' eternal Flame 1
IV.âAria (Bass):
Strive Thou, conquer by Thy might,
Let Thine Arm be strong to guide us
Stand beside us,
In our Weakness do Thou take us, mighty make us.
V.âRecitative (Soprano and Alto) :
Then evermore we praise Thy Name, Our homage to Thy cradle bringing,
With joyful hearts our praises singing. For that the Saviour came.
Nor shall we fear our darkest night, Who know Thine everlasting Light.
VI.âChorale :
Praise to Cod the Father, sing, Praise to God, His only. Son.
Praise to God. the Holy Ghost, Now and in Eternity.
English Text by D. Millar Craig. Copyright
B.B.C., 1929.
[We regret, that an error was made in acknowledging the source of the text of last Sunday's cantata. The English version of it is by W. G. Whittaker, and is included in the Oxford University Press edition of the Bach Church Cantatas.]
Cantatas for the next four Sundays are -
December 8. No. 107 - Was willst du dich betruben ? (Why should'st thou grieve ?).
December 15. No. 125 - Mit Fried und Freud fahr' ich dahin (In peace and joy I now depart).
December 22. No. 1 - Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern (How fair appears the morning star).
December 29. No. 122 - Das neugebor'ne Kindelein (The new born babe).
