There is a considerable contrast between the two parts of this bi-thematic aria. In the first section the expressive melodic lines, with frequent and complex modulation, illustrate the metaphor of the cup and cross. The second part is like a gentle cantilena on the theme of milk and honey.
23 |
Bass |
Gerne will ich mich bequemen, Kreuz und Becher anzunehmen, trink ich doch dem Heiland nach. Denn sein Mund, der mit Milch und Honig fließet, hat den Grund und des Leidens herbe Schmach durch den ersten Trunk versüßet. |
I will gladly agree to accept cross and goblet, and follow my Saviour in drinking. For his mouth, which flows with milk and honey, has sweetened the ground, and the bitter shame of suffering, with the first sip. |
Jesus’ second appeal to his Father is more intense and portrays a greater sense of urgency. The words are set to the same music as his first appeal in no 21, but - significantly - a semitone higher. Bach returns during the recitative to keys with sharps in them, symbolically associated with the violence to which Jesus is about to be subjected.
24 |
Evangelist
|
Und er kam seinen Jüngern und fand sie schlafend und sprach zu ihnen: |
And he cometh unto the disciples and findeth them asleep, and saith unto them: |
Jesus |
“Könnet ihr denn nicht eine Stunde mit mir wachen? Wachet und betet, daß ihr nicht in Anfechtung fallet; der Geist ist willig, aber das Fleisch ist schwach.” |
“What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.” |
|
Evangelist |
Zum andernmal ging er hin, betete und sprach: |
He went away again the second time and prayed saying: |
|
Jesus |
“Mein Vater, ists nicht möglich, daß dieser Kelch von mir gehe, ich trinke ihn denn, so geschehe dein Wille.” |
“O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” |
As with many of the chorales, this chorale, with words written in 1547 by Albrecht von Preufs, is linked to the preceding biblical text by an association of ideas; in this case the idea being that “God’s will be done”. The music for this chorale is particularly fascinating, as the words, which go on to talk of unshakeable faith, are set with particularly chromatic and angular harmony, yet each phrase ends with a strong tonic / dominant cadential point. It is as if the provoking Bach is deliberately testing the unshakeability of such faith, by setting it to unpredictable and twisting harmony, and then proving its reliability with strong perfect or plagal cadences.
25 |
Chorus |
Was mein Gott will, das gscheh allzeit, |
What my God wishes, may that always happen, |
In an agitated tone the Evangelist announces the arrival of Judas, accompanied by an army of high priests. Jesus, whose words have been growing increasingly tense, speaks here to Judas in a tone of simplicity and almost indifference – a tone which will characterise all of his words from now on.
26 |
Evangelist |
Und er kam und fand sie aber schlafend, und ihre Augen waren voll Schlafs. Und er ließ sie und ging abermal hin und betete zum drittenmal und redete dieselbigen Worte. Da kam er zu seinen Jüngern und sprach zu ihnen: |
And he came and found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy. And he left them and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples and saith unto them: |
Jesus |
“Ach! Wollt ihr nun schlafen und ruhen? Siehe, die Stunde ist hie, daß des Menschen Sohn in der Sünder Hände überantwortet wird. Stehet auf, lasset uns gehen; siehe, er ist da, der mich verrät.” |
“Sleep on now and take your rest: behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; behold, he is at hand who doth betray me.” |
|
Evangelist |
Und als er noch redete, siehe, da kam Judas, der Zwölfen einer, und mit ihm eine große Schar mit Schwertern und mit Stangen von den Hohenpriestern und Ältesten des Volks. Und der Verräter hatte ihnen ein Zeichen gegeben und gesagt: “Welchen ich küssen werde, der ists, den greifet” Und alsbald trat er zu Jesu und sprach: |
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.” And forthwith he came to Jesus and said: |
|
Judas Evangelist Jesus |
“Gegrüßet seist du, Rabbi!” Und küssete ihn. Jesus aber sprach zu ihm: “Mein Freund, warum bist du kommen?” |
“Hail master!” and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him: “Friend, wherefore art thou come?” |
|
Evangelist |
Da traten sie hinzu und legten die Hände an Jesum und griffen ihn. |
Then came they and laid hands on Jesus and took him. |
Commentary by Peter Parfitt © Aberdeen Bach Choir 2012
