DCCCX. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #9: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 9

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

Cantata #9: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 9 (1734)
1. [Coro]: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her
2. Recitativo (Basso): Gott gab uns ein Gesetz
3. Aria (Tenore): Wir waren schon zu tief gesunken
4. Recitativo (Basso): Doch mußte des Gesetz erfüllet werden
5. Aria (Duetto: Soprano, Alto): Herr, du siehst statt guter Werke
6. Recitativo (Basso): Wenn wir die Sünd aus dem Gesetz erkennen
7. Choral (Coro): Ob sichs anließ, als wollt er nicht
Gächinger Kantorei
Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn
Helmuth Rilling, cond.
(20:42)

This one's all about faith.

The readings for day are from Romans 6:3-11 and Matthew 5:20-26.

The three bass recitatives are all about God's Laws -- their bestowal, their fulfillment (or lack of it) and out attitudes towards them.

The arias and chorale reflect upon all this and extend the ideas.

1. [Coro]: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her

A chorale fantasia, the vocals embedded in a concerto of the orchestral instruments. The cantus firmus from the hymn is in the soprani -- as usual -- and the flute and oboe d'amore are important in Bach's forming of the sound texture.

Salvation has come to us
Through goodness and grace
Works help no longer
They cannot protect us
Faith looks to Jesus Christ
He has done propitiation for us all
He has become our mediator

2. Recitativo (Basso): Gott gab uns ein Gesetz

God gave us a law, but we were too weak
To be able to keep it
We pursued only sin
No man could be called devout
The spirit stuck to the flesh
And did not dare to resist
We were supposed to follow the way of the law
And see there, reflected as a glass
How our natures were wicked
Yet we stayed as we were
No one was able, by his own power
To leave his sinful wickedness behind him
Even though He summoned up all his strength

3. Aria (Tenore): Wir waren schon zu tief gesunken

Dürr: "an image of a giddy descent into the abyss of sin."

We had already sunk too deep
The abyss swallowed us completely
The depths already threatened death
And still, even in such distress
No hand could help us

4. Recitativo (Basso): Doch mußte des Gesetz erfüllet werden

But the law had to be fulfilled
And so the Saviour of the world came
The Son of the Highest himself fulfilled the law
And appeased his Father's wrath
Through His innocent death
He obtained help for us
He who trusts in Him therefore
He who puts his faith in his suffering
Will not be lost
Heaven is reserved
For Him that brings true faith with Him
And clasps Jesus firmly in his arms

5. Aria (Duetto: Soprano, Alto): Herr, du siehst statt guter Werke

This da capo aria is set in five parts of equal weight: the soprano and alto, the flute, oboe and continuo -- all in intricate canonic counterpoint ...

Lord, instead of regarding good works
You regard the strength of the faith
In our hearts
It is only faith that You accept
Only faith justifies
Everything else would seem too bad
To be able to help us

6. Recitativo (Basso): Wenn wir die Sünd aus dem Gesetz erkennen

When we realise from the law that we have sinned
We are smitten by conscience
But we may consider it a comfort
That, in the gospel
We may again become glad
And joyful
This reinforces our faith again
Therefore we can look forward to that time
Which God in his goodness
Has promised us
However, in His wisdom
The exact hour of which has kept from us
Nevertheless, we shall be content
He knows when it is necessary
And needs to practise no deceit
On us; we can put our faith in Him
And trust Him alone

7. Choral (Coro): Ob sichs anließ, als wollt er nicht

If it seems as though He does not want to
Do not be afraid
For where He is most concerned
That is where He wishes not to be discovered
You may depend on His word
And even if your heart says only "No"
Do not fear