47. Aria - Bass
This aria is plundered from the earlier aria ‘Durch die von Eifer entflammeten Waffen’, found in the secular cantata ‘Preise dein Glücke’ (BWV 215). For plaintive oboe d’amore and bass solo, the aria is reflective, despite its optimistic text. The minor key tonality, surprisingly, is perpetuated in this movement and in the next one.
Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen, erleuchte mein Herze durch der Strahlen klaren Schein! Dein Wort soll mir die hellste Kerze in allen meinen Werken sein; dies lässet die Seele nichts Böses beginnen. |
Illumine my dark thoughts as well, illumine my heart through the rays of your clear brilliance! Your word shall be the brightest candle for me in all my doings; this will never let my soul initiate evil. |
48. Evangelist Text: St Matthew 2: v 3
Bach draws attention to the word ‘erschrak’ (troubled) with a high and tortuous leap for the Evangelist.
Da das der König Herodes hörte, erschrak er und was mit ihm das ganze Jerusalem. |
When Herod the King had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. |
49. Arioso or Accompanied Recitative - Alto and Tenor
The words of this arioso recitative are punctuated by short, abrupt interjections from the strings. Again, the word ‘erschrecken’ (afraid) is treated in the same way as the word of similar sentiment in the previous movement. Again a minor key is used.
Warum wollt ihr erschrecken? |
Why are you afraid? |
50. Evangelist Text: St Matthew 2: v 4 - 6
The second half of this recitative, when the words of the prophet are being quoted, has (uncharacteristically) a fixed pulse and is accompanied by a bass line of regular moving quavers.
Und ließ versammlen alle Hohepriester und Schriftgelehrten unter dem Volk und erforschete von ihnen, wo Christus sollte geboren werden. Und sie sagten ihm: Zu Bethlehem im jüdischen Lande; denn also stehet geschrieben durch den Propheten: Und du Bethlehem im jüdischen Lande, bist mitnichten die kleinest unter den Fürsten Juda; denn aus dir soll mir kommen der Herzog, der über mein Volk Israel ein Herr sei. |
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and the scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet: and thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least amongst princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a governor, that shall rule my people Israel. |
51. Trio - Soprano, Alto, Tenor Text: unknown
This trio, an unusual combination for Bach in large scale works, is accompanied by a solo violin. It is one of the longest movements in the work.
Ach, wenn wird die Zeit erscheinen? |
Ah, when will the time appear? |
