DVI. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #132: Bereitet die Wege, Bereitet die Bahn, BWV 132

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

Cantata #132: Bereitet die Wege, Bereitet die Bahn, BWV 132 (1715)
1. Aria (Soprano): Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn!
2. Recitativo (Tenore): Willst du dich Gottes Kind und Christi Bruder nennen
3. Aria (Basso): Wer bist du? frage dein Gewissen
4. Recitativo (Alto): Ich will, mein Gott, dir frei heraus bekennen
5. Aria (Alto): Christi Glieder, ach bedenket
6. Choral (Coro): Ertöt uns durch dein Güte
Netherlands Bach Society
(18:17)

A small ensemble, with the oboe playing only in the first movement. The subject of this particular Sunday's gospel reading was baptism.

1. Aria (Soprano): Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn!

The long melisma on the word bahn (road) is typical.

The final phrase Messias kömmt an! (The Messiah is coming) is repeated thrice by the soprano, with all accompaniment dropping out ...

Prepare ye the highway, the way of the Lord!
The wilderness crieth
The Voice in the desert
Prepare ye the highway, the way for the Saviour
Prepare ye the highway
Make straight in the desert
The way for our God!

2. Recitativo (Tenore): Willst du dich Gottes Kind und Christi Bruder nennen

The music alternates between secco and arioso to underline important text:

Wouldst be a Child of God and Brother of the Saviour?
Then, must thy life conform
To Christianlike behaviour
Yea, man, the whole existence
Must ever to thy Faith be witness
Observe Christ's Word and Teaching
That it may never cease to be
A very part of thee
For this shall be the Christian's crowning glory
Today, my heart, prepare thee
To fare thee
Along the Path to Faith
Remove away the hillocks
The high places, and all that would impede Him
Roll off the ragged rocks of evil
And greet thy Saviour now
In faith to Him be plighted
Fast and firm united
Be plighted and united

3. Aria (Basso): Wer bist du? frage dein Gewissen

In this gorgeous aria, the bass -- in vox Christi -- asks Wer bist du? (Who are you?) twice, going down to a chesty low E-Flat, and the obbligato cello answers.

What are thou? ever ask they conscience
With honesty inquire anew
If thou, O man, be false or true
And face the truth without evasion
What are thou? study thou the Scriptures
For they will tell thee, what thou art:
A child of sin, in Satan's meshes
How full of guile thine evil heart

4. Recitativo (Alto): Ich will, mein Gott, dir frei heraus bekennen

Accompanied by strings throughout, the text seems to plead with God for forgiveness of sin -- in preparation for the aria to follow, in which baptism is the subject.

To Thee, my God confession frank is owing
'Til now have I not owned Thee as Thou art!
Lip service have I giv'n
Without in fact bestowing
On Thee the true allegiance of my heart
In loyalty have I been weak and swerving
And not at all of Thy support deserving
Yet, Jesus, Thou by Thy baptismal bath
Didst cleanse my sin and still Thy Father's wrath
Tho' fairest promises indeed I've spoken
Ah, sinner I, my covenant have broken
My misdeeds torture me!
Ah God, forgive Thou me
And grant that with unwavering emotion
I may renew my faith and deep devotion

5. Aria (Alto): Christi Glieder, ach bedenket

In sweeping 32nd-notes, the obbligato violin provides the image of water, the singer and violinist constantly complementing one another. (NB to TG: they may compliment each other after the performance ...)

Christian people ever ponder
How our Lord was baptised yonder
In the bath of Jordan's stream
Golgotha and Jordan cleared us
Of the stains that so besmeared us
Washing all our sins away
Jesus Christ's redeeming payment
Clothed us all in purple raiment
Whitest silk and bright array

6. Choral (Coro): Ertöt uns durch dein Güte

Transform us by Thy kindness
Awake us thru Thy Grace
That we put on the New Man
The Old Man's pow'r efface
While here as mortals living
Our true allegiance giving
Our trust in Thee we place