A Moment of Bach

Bleib bei uns (BWV 6): alto aria

"Stay with us, for night is falling..."

Happy Easter Monday! Today's moment comes from the Easter Monday cantata "Bleib bei uns" ("Stay with us"). The music is inspired by the story of the two disciples who met a stranger along the road as night was falling. The twist ending of this story makes us look back on the moment a little differently. "Stay with us..." is given new meaning.

Alto aria (Tim Mead, countertenor; Yongcheon Shin, oboe da caccia): https://youtu.be/YOtAvqH_A9k?t=346

St. Matthew Passion: "Wiewohl" recitative (mvt. 12)

In our tenth episode, we celebrate the genesis of this podcast's main premise. Using a humble and unassuming bit of connecting music from the St. Matthew Passion, Christian shows how Bach portrayed the soul swimming in tears. Love emerges victorious in the last line, where the music reaches a shimmering conclusion. "How can we talk about moments like this?!" That was our question to each other, so that's why we've got a podcast now!

"Wiewohl" recitative: https://youtu.be/ZwVW1ttVhuQ?t=1732

St. Matthew Passion: "Wenn ich einmal" chorale (mvt. 62)

In our ninth episode, we take our first look at the beloved St. Matthew Passion.  Staggering in its emotional scope, this work tells the complete story of Jesus's suffering and death (from the Gospel of Matthew -- in German!), interspersed with personal reflections. Hearing this music, it is as if you are transported  -- you are there, at the cross. The St. Matthew Passion is a true masterpiece.

St. Matthew Passion last chorale: https://youtu.be/ZwVW1ttVhuQ?t=8543

Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit: sonatina

In our eighth episode, a very young Bach employs old funereal recorders and viols for maximum heartstring-pulling effect in one of the most sublime few minutes of music: the opening sonatina of the cantata Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit (God's time is the very best time). The cantata, also known as Actus tragicus, is a masterwork from beginning to end. It's easy to see why Christian selected one of its many moments.

Full cantata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXMUpqSyJJo&t=1083s

Jesu, meine Freude (BWV 227): 9th movement

In our seventh episode, we find lots of remarkable moments from Bach's 11-movement choral masterwork "Jesu, meine Freude". Alex describes his favorite moment: the end of movement 9 ("Gute Nacht"), when all the wandering voices slow down and come to rest on a single, solitary note. We also explore some new ways to listen to music that has multiple voice parts, focusing on the beauty of the inner lines.

Jesu, meine Freude conducted by Christoph Prégardien: https://youtu.be/uN5Tt7SAhzg

Prelude in C major (Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1)

In our sixth episode, we marvel at the simple beauty of the C major Prelude, one of the most recognizable pieces of all time. Why is this keyboard exercise pattern with apparently no melody so famous and captivating? Christian unpacks its structure by looking not for a moment in the middle, but instead where the end and beginning seem to touch. 

 

Prelude in C Major performed by Siebe Henstra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCqWH9bKzQE

 

Passacaglia in C minor

In our fifth episode, the church organ comes alive! Alex guides us through the journey of the Passacaglia in C minor -- starting with a hushed, low tune, and expanding into an epic finale that could shake a cathedral.

Passacaglia played by Reitze Smits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzBXZ__LN_M

And played by Cathedral Bells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t6xG9bsBA8

Magnificat (BWV 243): opening

In our fourth episode, Christian introduces the opening of the Magnificat. No expense was spared in Bach’s triumphant and expressive Magnificat, including a force of three trumpets and timpani. Christian uses the Magnificat opening to introduce the baroque trumpet, an instrument very different from the modern-day version.

Magnificat: https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-243/

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 140): opening chorus

In our third episode, Alex introduces one of Bach's most beloved church cantatas: "Wachet auf" -- "Wake up!" The watchmen on the tower are calling! At a certain magical moment, Bach removes the bass instruments so we can hear the bright, ringing voices announcing that Christ is coming to the world. Alex also describes the beauty of the rest of the cantata, with audio examples from the Netherlands Bach Society's performance.

BWV 140 opening chorale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqZE54i-muE

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 61): bass recitative

In our second episode, Christian introduces the royal processional of the cantata Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland. We celebrate the launch of the podcast with this cantata for the new church year, an early Bach work. But the "moment" is hidden later on, where the young Bach uses an experimental sound: a knock at the door from plucked strings with an unresolved harmony. The voice of Jesus sings "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

BWV 61 bass recitative: https://youtu.be/MzWJsRjanC4?t=571