CD launch – Christmas Oratorio BWV 248
Celebrating the release of our double CD recording
Important note
After analysing the parameters key to our operations, we came to the difficult but clear conclusion to cancel our regular concert performances for the whole of 2020. Throughout this year, we will keep in touch with you via monthly live-streaming events.
Support us
Our ongoing administrative work, streaming recordings and preparations for a return to regular concerts in 2021 remain a considerable financial commitment, at a time when our income is limited. This is why we are urgently asking our patrons and friends to continue supporting us at this difficult time. Find out more
No cantata performances are currently possible.
But we'll stream anyway!
“Triumph, rejoice!”
CD launch – Christmas Oratorio BWV 248
Programme
6:45 P.M.
Peek behind the scenes: we visit the studio of our recording partner, GALLUS MEDIA AG
7:00 until 8:00 P.M.
CD launch – Christmas Oratorio 248; with special guest, Meinrad Walter, musicologist
Location
Recording location
St. Gallen // Studio, GALLUS MEDIA AG
Kantatentext
BWV 183 «Sie werden euch in den Bann tun»
1. Rezitativ ‒ Bass
«Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, es kömmt aber die Zeit, daß, wer euch tötet, wird meinen, er tue Gott einen Dienst daran.»
2. Arie ‒ Tenor
Ich fürchte nicht des Todes Schrecken,
ich scheue ganz kein Ungemach.
Denn Jesus’ Schutzarm wird mich decken,
ich folge gern und willig nach;
wollt ihr nicht meines Lebens schonen
und glaubt, Gott einen Dienst zu tun,
er soll euch selben noch belohnen,
wohlan, es mag dabei beruhn.
3. Rezitativ ‒ Alt
Ich bin bereit, mein Blut und armes Leben
vor dich, mein Heiland, hinzugeben,
mein ganzer Mensch soll dir gewidmet sein;
ich tröste mich, dein Geist wird bei mir stehen,
gesetzt, es sollte mir vielleicht zu viel geschehen.
4. Arie ‒ Sopran
Höchster Tröster, Heilger Geist,
der du mir die Wege weist,
darauf ich wandeln soll,
hilf meine Schwachheit mit vertreten,
denn von mir selber kann ich nicht beten,
ich weiß, du sorgest vor mein Wohl!
5. Choral
Du bist ein Geist, der lehret,
wie man recht beten soll;
dein Beten wird erhöret,
dein Singen klinget wohl.
Es steigt zum Himmel an,
es steigt und läßt nicht abe,
bis der geholfen habe,
der allein helfen kann.
Meinrad Walter
Meinrad Walter, Dr. theol., is a renowned specialist in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. He is deputy head of the department for church music of the archdiocese of Freiburg and honorary professor at the university of music (Hochschule für Musik) in Freiburg, Germany; he also works as a presenter at diverse concerts and as an author of radio programmes. Meinrad Walter has written books on Bach’s St John Passion (published by Carus-Verlag) and Bach's cantatas (published by Verlag Katholisches Bibelwerk); in 2020 he co-authored a book with Henning Bey on Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (published by Verlag Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft). Meinrad Walter is already known to the J. S. Bach Foundation community as the presenter of the reflective lecture on the council election cantata “Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir” (We give thee thanks, God, we give thee thanks).
Rudolf Lutz
Rudolf Lutz is not only a highly-regarded pedagogue who is able to explain complex compositional concepts in an accessible way, but also one of the world’s most renowned improvisors. He will present his live streams in English in order to best serve our large internet community.
Other streaming events
- 18 December 2020, 18.45 – Christmas songs with the vocal quartet of the J. S. Bach Foundation
Cantata performances of the J.S. Bach Foundation
Our cantata performances have been postponed until the end of the Covid crisis. We hope to resume our concert activities in January 2021.
Live streaming archive
Have you missed a live stream or would you like to watch a performance again?