CDLXXXVI. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #78: Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78

CDLXXXVI. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)

Cantata #78: Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78 (1724)
1. [Coro]: Jesu, der du meine Seele
2. Aria (Duetto: Soprano, Alto): Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten
3. Recitativo (Tenore): Ach! ich bin ein Kind der Sünden
4. Aria (Tenore): Das Blut, so meine Schuld durchstreicht
5. Recitativo (Basso): Die Wunden, Nägel, Kron und Grab
6. Aria (Basso): Nun, du wirst mein Gewissen stillen
7. Choral (Coro): Herr, ich glaube, hilf mir Schwachen
Netherlands Bach Society
(24:32)

Based on a hymn by Johann Rist.

1. [Coro]: Jesu, der du meine Seele

This complex choral fantasia is a passacaglia with a descending chromatic fourth, which is a movement by half-steps from tonic to dominant. In G Minor:

i / V⁶ / v⁶ / IV⁶ / iv⁶ / V

Bach will use this 27 times in this movement -- sometimes reversed, sometimes in a different key. To make things even more diversified, the lower three voices make staggered entrances, as the soprani sing out the cantus firmus hymn tune, over a busy continuo:

Jesus, by Thy Cross and Passion
By the bitter pain Thou bore
When the Evil one would hold me
Deep in Hell to suffer sore
Mightily away Thou bore me
With a haven safe before me
Thru Thy Word, contentment sweet
Thou art still my sure retreat

2. Aria (Duetto: Soprano, Alto): Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten

This gorgeous da capo duet demands a high B-Flat from the soprano!

We hasten with eager yet faltering footsteps
O Jesus, O Master, for help unto Thee
Thou faithfully seekest the ill and the erring
Ah, hear us, we pray
Our voices exalt Thee, for succor we pray Thee
Now grant us Thy gracious and merciful favor!

3. Recitativo (Tenore): Ach! ich bin ein Kind der Sünden

Begins secco; ends arioso:

Ah! my failings sorely grieve me
Yea, my sins are very great
The curse of Adam never more will leave me
So long as I exist in man's estate
My inclinations lead to evil
Tho' oft my soul cries
"Who is there to save me?"
Ah, me: to resist temptation
And attain thereby salvation
Is far beyond my feeble strength
Tho' I admit my ev'ry failing
I find, alas, the bad in me prevailing
And so I carry in Thy mercyseat
My heavy load of sorrow
With all my sins and derelictions
And lay them penitently at Thy feet
Do Thou, Lord, forgive them me
Not let them yet anger Thee

4. Aria (Tenore): Das Blut, so meine Schuld durchstreicht

The heart's relief (spricht mich frei) is tone-painted by the obbligato flute in this lovely da capo aria:

Thy sacrifice has cleansed the stain
Making my heart all pure again
Happy and free
Should now the Fiend of Hell assail me
Then Thou my Saviour will not fail me
But will support and succor me

5. Recitativo (Basso): Die Wunden, Nägel, Kron und Grab

Tempo changes galore, delineating the text:

The torments, nail scars, thorns, the grave
The scourgemarks that our Lord and Saviour bore
Become the tokens of salvation
Which the Faithful look for inspiration
When sounds the dreaded Judgment Knell
The curse that sends the damned to Hell
Turn Thou it into blessing
Then neither pain nor torment will remain
All this my Saviour knows
And thus Thy heart with deep affection glows
So, Master, I adore Thee and lay my all before Thee
This, my heart, with grief commingled
By Thy precious blood besprinkled
On the Cross poured out for me
Give I now, O Lord, to Thee

6. Aria (Basso): Nun, du wirst mein Gewissen stillen

Concertante style, with obbligato oboe:

Do Thou, O Lord, appease my conscience
Which grievously has troubled me
By Thy fidelity uphold me
And let Thy Word my comfort be
By Thy divine direction
From enemies forever free
Secure in Thy protection

7. Choral (Coro): Herr, ich glaube, hilf mir Schwachen

The hymn tune in full chorale form:

Lord, I trust Thee, I adore Thee
Help my weakness, my despair
Thou canst strenghten and restore me
When misdeeds my faith impair
On Thy loving Grace relying
God Almighty glorifying
By Thy side I hope to be
Ever thru eternity