Bach - Cantata 105: Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht, BWV 105 (1723)
Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht, BWV 105 (1723)
I. Chorus: "Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht" (Lord, do not pass judgment on Your servant) [0:00]
II. Recitative (Alto): "Mein Gott, verwirf ich nicht" (My God, cast me not away) [5:22]
III. Aria (Soprano): "Wie zittern und wanken, die Sünder Gedanken" (How they tremble and waver, the thoughts of the sinners) [6:17]
IV. Recitative (Bass): "Wohl aber dem, der seinen Bürgen weiß" (Happy he who his Maker knows) [12:04]
V. Aria (Tenor): "Kann ich nur Jesum mir zum Freunde machen" (Can I but make a friend of Jesus) [14:09]
VI. Chorale: "Nun, ich weiss, du wirst mir stillen" (Now I know that you will calm me) [20:18]
A church cantata by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). The opening lines of the work, "Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht" (Lord, do not pass judgment on Your servant), come from Psalm 143. The overall theme of the work is the Parable of the Unjust Steward from Luke 16:1-13, which was to be read on the ninth Sunday after Trinity in the Lutheran lectionary. This cantata was first performed in Leipzig on July 25, 1723. The work opens with a remarkably dark prelude and polyphonic chorus, with plenty of tortuous chromaticism and dissonances that reflect the pain of the crucifixion. Another high point in this cantata is the soprano aria "Wie zittern und wanken," which has a beautiful, clear melodic line suspended over a palpitating accompanying figure in the strings representing a troubled yet hopeful soul. Regardless of the religious content, I find the music in this cantata incredibly beautiful and moving - it is certainly one of my favourite Bach cantatas.
English text:
I. Chorus:
Lord, go thou not into court with this thy thrall, since with thee there is no living person just.
II. Recitative
My God, reject me not,
While I myself now humbly bow before thee,
From thine own countenance.
I know, though great thy wrath and mine own wickedness,
That thou art both a ready witness
And a most righteous judge as well.
I give to thee my free confession now
And cast myself not in great risk,
That I my soul's own failings
Disclaim now, or keep hidden.
III. Aria
How tremble and waver
The sinners' intentions,
In that they do often accuse one another
And then turn around and would dare make excuses.
Just so is the scrupulous conscience
Because of its own torments shattered.
IV. Recitative
Blest though is he who doth his bonder know,
Who ev'ry debt redeemeth;
Then is the mortgage canceled out,
When Jesus with his blood doth drench it.
He doth it on the cross himself affix,
He will of thy possessions, life and body,
When once thy dying hour doth strike,
Himself transmit the record to his Father.
E'en though thy body will, when borne unto the grave,
With sand and dust be covered,
Thy Savior opens thee eternal shelter.
V. Aria
If I but Jesus as my friend may number,
Then counteth Mammon nought with me.
For I can find no pleasure here
Amidst this empty world and earthly treasures.
VI. Chorale
Now, I know, thou shalt make quiet
This my conscience, plaguing me.
Thy good faith will bring fulfillment
To what thou thyself hast said:
That in all these earthly reaches
No one shall be lost forever,
But instead have life eternal,
If he but with faith be full.
The Parable of the Unjust Steward is provided and discussed here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Unjust_Steward#Passage
More information, text and translations are available at this site:
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV105.htm
Soprano: Barbara Schlick
Alto: Gerard Lesne
Tenor: Howard Crook
Bass: Peter Kooy
Collegium Vocale, Ghent
Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe
