'Der Himmel Lacht' (The Heavens Laugh)
Relayed from the Guildhall School of Music
Elsie Suddaby (Soprano)
John Armstrong (Tenor)
Keith Falkner (Bass)
Leslie Woodgate (Organ)
John Field (Oboe)
The Wireless Chorus and The Wireless Orchestra (Trumpets, Tympani, Oboes, Bassoon and Strings)
Conducted by Stanford Robinson
Bach left two Easter Cantatas and this one in particular embodies the gladness of the Church's most joyous festival in a truly wonderful way. As has already been pointed out several times in these notes, the Church Cantatas not only formed part of the service of the day for which they were composed, but had the closest possible relation to it... Each of the so-called Chorale Cantatas, particularly, is founded on one of the Chorales (or hymns) set down for the day's, service, and the texts are almost always related to the day's Gospel. In many cases, indeed, the Cantata texts embody part of the words of the Gospel.
This Easter Cantata is laid out for an exceptionally large orchestra - three trumpets. three oboes, taille (tenor oboe), bassoons and strings in six parts, as well as kettledrum and rontiimo (figured bass). Bach uses this big force in the most splendid way in the orchestral introduction ; we do Indeed hear the heavens laughing and the Earth rejoicing, and the his opening chorus, in five parts, is not less eloquent of exultation.
The aria for bass, 'Prince eternal,' is bruit upon one of Bach's motives of majesty, or solemnity in illustration of the ideas called up by the word' Prince.' With the same delight in weaving his music round an idea, the last aria for soprano is a glorified cradle song with a beautiful oboe obbligato, in which a gentle, swaying figure persists almost all the way through.
The Chorale at the end is fully accompanied, the orchestra soaring above the soprano voice with splendid effect.
The words are taken, by permission of Messrs. Constable and Co., from 'Bach's Cantata Texts, Sacred and Secular,' by C. Sanford Terry.
I. - Sonata.
II. - Chorus.
The heavens shout, the earth with praise exulteth,
And everything that draweth breath.
The Saviour lives! He now in triumph riseth,
And proud hath burst the bars of death.
He who within God's acre resteth
The Holy One to heaven now calleth.
III. - Recitative (Bass).
O longed-for day!
Come, spirit, sing with joy!
The First and Last, Beginning and the Ending,
He Whom our heavy guilt did cast to hell's grim keeping.
Today is risen from the tomb!
He Who was dead, behold, now liveth ever!
And. as the head, so liveth every member. Within His hands He holds
The keys of death and hell's dark portal. His mantle's folds
Blood red be-dyed and torn with scourging cruel,
Today are decked with victory like a jewel.
IV. - Aria (Bass).
Prince eternal, strong defender, Lord Almighty, God's own Son.
See, Thy cross was but a ladder
Set to raise Thee to Thy throne
Lo, the piercing cords that bound Thee
Deck Thee now with glory rare!
E'en the cruel thorns that tore Thee
Gems of worth and beauty are!
V. - Recitative (Tenor).
Arouse thee, then, my soul whom Christ delivered!
To Him by homage pay!
A new life at His service lay ! flee I shun the works of darkness!
Soul, let thy Saviour now above receive thy love and goodness!
Thy conduct, as a vine, see no ill fruit it beareth.
But e'er that it to heaven Its branches reareth!
(O Christian, haste, and flee hell's tomb, escape ye!
But leave the stone, thy sin, in darkness wrapped,
Behind thee, and seek for Jesu's sell alone
VI. - Aria (Tenor).
He who would in Christ be living Must himself to Cod be giving, In Whose image was he made; To the skies his soul upraising, From the tomb of sin escaping, Now God's sign is on him laid.
VII. - Recitative (Soprano).
As members by their head Are guided all and led
So can from Jesus nought divide me, Whatever may betide me,
If I with Him do suffer pain, then He to heaven above will guide me.
Where sits He throned on high, my God my flesh shall see in heaven.
VIII. - Aria (Soprano). life's last moment, quickly come!
Close mine eyelids, in death sleeping! Christ above will on me shine,
With the light of heaven down leaping Come, dear angels, take me home!
IX. - Chorale.
My course is set to heaven above; To Christ I'd hence betake me. Asleep In Him and in His love. No mortal hand can wake me.
Lord Christ, fair victor in the strife, 'Tis He shall call my soul to Life, And bliss eternal grant me!
