Relayed from Birmingham
('DAS NEUGEBORNE KINDELEIN')
('THE NEW BORN BABE')
Relayed from THE MIDLAND INSTITUTE, BIRMINGHAM
KATE WINTER (Soprano) ESTHER COLEMAN (Contralto) Tom PICKERING (Tenor) ARTHUR CRANMER (Bass)
CYRIL CHRISTOPHER (Continuo)
The BIRMINGHAM STUDIO ORCHESTRA and Chorus, conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS
Composed for the Sunday after Christmas, the Cantata is one of the very last which have come down to us from the great store which Bach wrote. It is based on an old hymn published at the very end of the sixteenth century, which Bach uses in full as the Chorale at the end, and as the basis of his first chorus. As so often, in these opening choruses, the melody of the Chorale is given to the soprano voices, with the others and a full orchestral accompaniment weaving interesting parts about it. Here and there, in the other voices, are little imitations of the Chorale melody, in diminution, adding in a very natural way to the joyous effect of the whole.
The bass aria which follows is a splendidly expressive one, demanding highly finished singing on the part of the soloist, end another specially interesting number is the Trio, No. IV, which is sometimes sung by the choir... The Chorale appears in it again, now as the middle voice, and almost throughout the accompaniment there is a dancing figure known to Bach enthusiasts as ' the Angel motive,' suggested to him, no doubt, by the text of the previous recitative.
I. Chorus: ....
Sing we the birth of God's dear Son, From highest heaven to earth come down,
Bringing to us a glad New Year
And to all folk good Christian cheer.
II. Aria (Bass):
We mortals, scarred by sin's dark blemish,
As angels now should joyous be; For hear how jubilant they tell
That God on earth descends to dwell. So comfort take, and care bid vanish !
III. Recitative (Soprano)
The angel band, who did from man of old shrink as a thing accursed, now swell the courts of heaven with anthems rolled, and man's salvation tell. his foes dispersed. God, Who did once in Paradise drive man from His reproving eyes, again to full salvation calls you, and comes from heaven above to Eden to restore you. So, thank Him now with praise o'erflowing. Whose grace this blessed lot on man's bestowing.
IV. Trio:
God is our Friend and Helper true, 'Gainst Him what can fell Satan do Hell and its iron gates must yield; For Christ our Lord is Sword and Shield.
O happy they, in God confiding
The foeman's power and snares deriding!
His raging now doth vainly vex us; God shields his own and will protect us.
V. Recitative (Basa):
This is the day the Lord Himself hath made. Who sent His Son all in a manger laid. 0 blessed time that's now fulfilled! 0 faithful watching, doubt and longing stilled! O faith, see, the goal's in sight ! And love, too, draws man to God's light. Ye joyous hearts, come now, give troubles wing, and God your praise and homage bring!
VI. Chorale:
Come, let us hail this happy year, And put away all doubt and fear. Raise our glad hearts to God's high throne.
Saved by the grace of Christ, His Son!
The words are taken from 'Bach's Cantata Texts, Sacred and Secular,' by C. Sanford Terry , by permission of Messrs. Constable and Co.
Cantatas for the next four Sundays are :-
January 5. Nos. 5S and 50 - Ach Gott wie manches Herzeleid (All God, how many a Grief of Heart). Nun ist das Heil (Now is the Grace).
January 12. No. 124 - Meinen Jesum lass' ich nicht (Ne'er my Jesu will I leave).
January 19. No. 13 - Meine Scufzer, meine Thranen (My Sighs, my Tears).
January 26. No. 21 - Ich hatte viel Bekummerniss (My Spirit was in Heaviness).
(For 3.45 to 5.45 Programmes see opposite page)
