St. John Passion: "Mein teurer Heiland" bass aria and chorale (BWV 245.32)
After witnessing Christ's death, we experience a frozen scene -- an aria -- which is a space for reflection that Bach so often gives us in his cantatas and passions. But this time we also experience some harsh tonal whiplash as first we hear Christ's head falling in death, then a dancing, hopeful aria. This aria with interspersed chorale is filled with questions, and the positivity of one final answer.
Bach produces an innovative and complex "theological counterpoint" of the bass aria's poetry with the simultaneous chorale text. The answer is a confident affirmative; the bass holds a moment and then nods "ja." And so, our question "can I inherit the kingdom of heaven? Is this the redemption of the world?" is answered: as Christ lowered his head in death, he silently bowed his head "yes."
Aria "Mein teurer heiland" with chorale "Jesu, der du warest tot" as performed by Drew Santini and the Netherlands bach Society
--------
25:55
St. John Passion: "Es ist vollbracht" alto aria (BWV 245.30)
"It is finished." This falling melody, sung by Christ at the moment of His death, is followed by the pivotal alto aria "Es ist vollbracht". We explore the musical texture, the dramatic contrasts, the foreshadowing of the "vivace" middle section, and the way that silence can speak louder than words or music. We also uncover a truth about the word "finished" in this biblical passage.
"Es ist vollbracht" as performed by Marine Fribourg (alto), Meineke van der Velden (viola da gamba solo) for the Netherlands Bach Society
Link to the devotional book Alex mentioned at the end of the episode. Thank you to listener and friend Marcia Biang for this book recommendation!
--------
29:31
Goldberg Variations: 25 (the "Black Pearl")
Why, at number 25 of 30 variations mostly in sunny G major, is here one of the most profoundly sad things he ever wrote? This one gets at something deep. He certainly knew suffering; was it his personal experience? Bach's full range of expressions is at play in the Goldberg Variations, here including sorrow.
Dubbed the "Black Pearl" by keyboardist Wanda Landowska, the long and wandering variation retains its structure, yet takes us to such lonely and desolate places.
The Goldberg Variations (var. 25) as played by Jean Rondeau for the Netherlands Bach Society
--------
18:54
St. John Passion: "O große Lieb" chorale (BWV 245.3)
"For me, Bach is the greatest of preachers. His cantatas and Passions tune the soul to a state in which we can grasp the truth and oneness of things, and rise above everything that is paltry, everything that divides us." -- Charles-Marie Widor, from the Preface to the biography J. S. Bach by Albert Schweitzer
We all know that Bach is a technical wizard. Counterpoint might be what he's best known for. But if you want to convince someone of Bach's power as a spiritual storyteller, go to the chorales in the cantatas and Passions. There you will find pieces like this, "O große Lieb" (O great love), where in four lines of text, Bach's harmonies perfectly paint the mood of each line of text, sometimes laser-targeted down to the very note.
"O große Lieb" from St John Passion, Netherlands Bach Society, Jos van Veldhoven, conductor
--------
21:01
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 61) aria: "Öffne dich"
At the beginning of our podcast seasons, we always look at a new part of BWV 61. This week Christian chooses what may be the most pure, unassuming aria of total soul transcendence. The aria "Öffne dich" is the 'heart' of this regal Advent cantata, and offers an opposite effect of the other parts while we hear a plead (from us) to our own heart: "Open yourself, my whole heart; Jesus comes and enters."
A simple cello bass line and organ accompaniment frame a floating, unpinned rhythm and subtle, elegant soprano ornamentation. But the music opens and shines from the heavens in transcendent peace at "O wie selig werd ich sein!" -- the cello enters a blissful flow as "O how blessed will I be!"
This episode's featured aria as performed by the Netherlands Bach Society
Zsuzsi Tóth, soprano
BachCantataTexts.org annotated translation of BWV 61
BWV 106 Gottes Zeit in concert THIS SUNDAY in Orange, California - free concert directed by Alex - info here
Welcome to A Moment of Bach, where we take our favorite moments from J. S Bach's vast output—just a minute's worth or even a few seconds—and show you why we think they are remarkable. Join hosts Alex Guebert and Christian Guebert for weekly moments!
Check wherever podcasts are available and subscribe for upcoming episodes.
Our recording samples are provided by the Netherlands Bach Society. Their monumental All of Bach project (to perform and record all of the works of J. S. Bach) serves as source material for our episodes.
https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en
https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/allofbach
Artwork by Sydney LaCom
Netherlands