In the upward motion of the two flutes, which turns to downward motion at the very end, we see Jesus stumbling and eventually falling.
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56 |
Bass |
Ja freilich will in uns das Fleisch und Blut zum Kreuz gezwungen sein; je mehr es unsrer Seele gut, je herber geht es ein. |
Yes, the flesh and blood in us wishes to be compelled to the cross; the more it is good for our soul, the more bitter is the taste. |
The oxymoron süßes Kreuz (sweet cross) is depicted here in the prominent cello part (written originally for the viola da gamba). The dotted rhythms present throughout remind us of movements 51 and 52, and the wide intervals and austere harmony contrast with the elegiac vocal line given to the bass.
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57 |
Bass |
Komm, süßes Kreuz, so will ich sagen, mein Jesu gib es immer her! Wird mir mein Leiden einst zu schwer, so hilfst du mir es selber tragen. |
Come, sweet cross, so I say my Jesus, give it to me. If my suffering ever becomes too hard for me, you will help me to bear it. |
The Evangelist’s narration here is given its context by the chorus, which represents variously the baying, angry mob, covering Jesus with mockery and sarcasm, and the chief priests and elders. Bach uses the same structure for both choruses – an antiphonal declamatory and homophonic opening, followed by an imitative polyphonic development. A high A is used for the mention of Golgotha, the place of the crucifixion, and the chord of C# major is used no fewer than four times in the Evangelist’s recitative to illustrate key words (beschrieben, Jüden König, kreuziget, Rechten). The only moment of unison in the entire work is reserved for the final jeering words of the chorus: Ich bin Gottes Sohn. The chromatic ‘cross’ motif appears in the final five notes of 58e on the word gekreuziget (crucified). Further attention is drawn to this word as it is harmonised with a Neapolitan 6th chord (a chord of the flattened supertonic in first inversion) which causes it to stand out from the harmony around it.
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58a |
Evangelist
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Und da sie an die Stätte kamen mit Namen Golgatha, das ist verdeutschet Schädelstätt, gaben sie ihm Essig zu trinken mit Gallen vermischet; und da ers schmekkete, wollte ers nicht trinken. Da sie ihn aber gekreuziget hatten, teilten sie siene Kleider und wurfen das Los darum, auf daß erfüllet würde, das gesagt ist durch den Propheten: “Sie haben mein Kleider unter sich geteilet, und über mein Gewand haben sie das Los geworfen.” Und sie saßen allda und hüteten sein; und oben zu seinen Haupten hefteten sie die Ursach seines Todes beschrieben, nämlich; “DIES IST JESUS, DER JÜDENKÖNIG.” Und da wurden zween Mörder mit ihm gekreuziget, einer zur Rechten und einer zur Linken. Die aber vorübergingen, lästerten ihn und schüttelten ihre Köpfe und sprachen: |
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall; and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” And sitting down they watched him there; and set up over his head his accusation written; “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads and saying: |
58b |
Chorus |
“Der du den Tempel Gottes zerbrichst und bauest ihn in dreien Tagen, hilf dir selber! Bist du Gottes Sohn, so steig herab vom Kreuz!” |
“Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” |
58c |
Evangelist |
Desgleichen auch die Hohenprieste’ spotteten sein samt den Schriftgelehrten Ältesten und sprachen: |
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said: |
58d |
Chorus |
“Andern hat er geholfen und kann ihm selber nicht helfen. Ist er der König Israel, so steige er nun vom Kreuz, so wollen wir ihm glauben. Er hat Gott vertrauet, der erlöse ihn nun, lüstets ihn denn er hat gesagt; “Ich bin Gottes Sohn”.” |
“He saved others, himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him, for he said, “I am the Son of God”.” |
|
58e |
Evangelist |
Desgleichen schmäheten ihn auch die Mörder, die mit ihm gekreuziget waren. |
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. |
Commentary by Peter Parfitt © Aberdeen Bach Choir 2012
