(No. 78) BACH
From St. Ann's Church, Manchester
S.B. from Manchester
' JESU, DER DU MEINE SEELE '
(Jesu, Thou hast wrought salvation)
GLADYS SWEENEY (Soprano)
CONSTANCE FELPTS (Contralto)
ARTHUR WILKES (Tenor)
REGINALD WHITEHEAD (Bass)
THE ST. ANN'S CHURCH CHOIR
THE NORTHERN WIRELESS
ORCHESTRA
Conducted by T. H. MORRISON
GEORGE PRITCHARD at the Organ
Tills was one of the cantatas which Mendelssohn specially admired. He refers to it in a letter to Hauser which is not yet published, and all Bach enthusiasts are agreed that it is one of the most expressive and one in which detail is most richly worked out. The first chorus is a Chorale, with a chromatic ground bass, forming an impressive chaconne. It has something in common with the C'ruciflxus of the 11 Minor Mass. Bach sets forth, in a very effective contrast, the thought of our Lord's sorrows, and of mankind's rejoicing in salvation ; the motives expressing these two are opposed in a very beautiful way.
Of the other numbers it must suffice to point specially to the fine recitative for the bass and the expressive arioso into which it leads; the aria given to the bass voice is also a very splendid example of Bach's art.
English text by D. Millar Craig.
Copyright B.B.C., 1920.
I.—Chorus :
Jesu, Thou hast wrought salvation,
On that Cross where Thou didst bleed, Thou from Satan and damnation.
And from woe, mankind hast freed, Hightily Thou hast prevailed, Other help had nought availed,
Save the pow'r that Thou canst wield : Be Thou now, 0 God, my Shield I
II.—Chorus (Soprano, Alto) :
With eager, tho' faltering steps we are faring 0 Jesus, 0 Master, for succour to Thee,
Thou seekest Thy lost ones, the wan'd'rer
Thou leadest,
Oh, hear us, we cry to Thee. of all helpers but Thee, Lord, despairing;
Thou healest the sick, and the hungry Thou feedest
III.—Recitative (Tenor) :
Lo, in evil ways I wander'd,
Yea ! from Thy way far I stray'd.
Kot Thy Commandments, nor Thy Word I ponder'd,
My way I chose unsham'd and unafraid. My heart inclin'd to worldly pleasure.
The Spirit cries : 'Man 1 seek thy heav'nly . treasure 1 '
Alway flesh and blood o'ercamc me When my evil ways did shame me,
Nor all my strength might e'er prevail.
Yea, tho' my cry to neav'n hath mounted Unceasingly, yet were my sins uncounted. Therefore I come, in all humility. On Thy dear word believing
And all my load of sin and grieving
Thou takest it In mercy, Lord, to Thee. Tho' my sin offendeth Thee, My Saviour, 0 pardon me I
IV.-Aria (Tenor) :
Thy blood hath wash'd my sin away, Hath led my spirit to the day, And set me free.
Yea, tho' the prince of hell assail me,
Thy right hand, Jesu, shall not fail me; I know no fear, and bid him flee.
V.—Recitative (Bass):
The sorrows, torment, crown, the grave. reviling. these the Saviour bore for man ; lo, crown'd, victorious now
He liveth, to all mankind victorious strength
He giveth.
Before the Throne how may we stand, When God shall raise His awful Hand, But if Thou grant Thy blessing ?
Then all my sin, mine unbelief confessing. My Lord, I cry to Thee.
Thy life, Thy heart's blood Thou didst give for me,
I lay mine own before Thee,
For mercy, Lord, implore Thee.
So my heart with grief oppressed, By Thy precious Blood be blessed ; Thou, 0 Lord, my Saviour art, Take and bless a contrite heart.
VI.—Aria (Bass):
Lo, Thou shalt calm my spirit's grieving For all my sins, my contrite heart,
On Thee and on Thy word believing : My Saviour Thou, my Hope Thou art. Whose faith hath falter'd never
Not Satan's guile from Thee shall part; He is Thine own for ever.
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VII.—Chorale:
Lord, in Thee I trust, oh, take me As I am, on Thee I call 1
Thou canst shield me, ne'er forsake me When my foes upon me fall.
Saviour shed Thy mercy o'er me ; Still Thy Cross shall go before me, Till, my J.ord, I come to Thee In Thy blest Eternity.
Cantatas for the next four Sundays are
September 8. No. 100—
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan.'
(' What God doth, that is wise and right.'
September 15. No. 95—
Cliristus der ist mein Leben."
(' 0 Christ, my all.')
September 22. No. 114-
Ach lieben Christen, seid getrost.'
(' Ye Christian people, weep no more.')
September 29. No. 19—
Es erhub sich eln Strcit.'
(' A tumult arose.')