The words of the last supper, more familiar to us as the central part of the Eucharist, are set in arioso form, the strings enfolding Christ’s words in flowing lyrical phrases. The phrase which states “it had been good for that man if he had not been born” is set to a very high tessitura for Christ, suggesting suppressed anger and strong emotion.

11

Evangelist

Er antwortete und sprach:

And he answered and said:

 

Jesus

“Der mit der Hand mit mir in die Schüssel tauchet, der wird mich verraten. Des Menschen Sohn gehet zwar dahin, wie von ihm geschrieben stehet; doch wehe dem Menschen, durch welchen des Menschen Sohn verraten wird! Es wäre ihm besser, daß der selbige Mensch noch nie geboren wäre.”

“He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of Man goeth as it is written of him, but woe unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It had been good for that man if he had not been born.”

 

Evangelist

Da antwortete Judas, der ihn verriet, und sprach:

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said:

 

Judas

“Bin ichs, Rabbi?”

“Master, is it I?”

 

Evangelist

Er sprach zu ihm:

He said unto him:

 

Jesus

“Du sagests.”

“Thou hast said.”

 

Evangelist

Da sie aber aßen, nahm Jesus das Brot, dankete und brachs und gabs den Jüngern und sprach:

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to his disciples and said:

 

Jesus

“Nehmet, esset das ist mein Leib.”

“Take, eat this is my body.”

 

Evangelist

Und er nahm den Kelch und dankete, gab ihnen den und sprach:

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying;

 

Jesus

“Trinket alle daraus; das ist mein Blut des neuen Testaments, welches vergossen wird für viele zur Vergebung der Sünden. Ich sage euch: Ich werde von nun an nicht mehr von diesem Gewächs des Weinstocks trinken bis an den Tag, da ichs neu trinken werde mit euch in meines Vaters Reich.”

“Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

The motion of the two oboes throughout this movement suggests a ‘swimming motion’ implied by the word schwimmt. The augmented fourth interval is consistently present throughout the first four bars. Here Picander focuses on the joyful aspects of Christ’s sacrifice and on his unending love. The cheerful nature of the following aria, which is almost a dance of thanksgiving, gives the listener a little respite from the predominantly sombre mood. The opening motif on the oboes is simply a decorated version of the melody sung by the soprano.

12

Soprano
Arioso recitative

Wie wohl mein Herz in Tränen schwimmt, daß Jesus von mir Abschied nimmt, so macht mich doch sein Testament erfreut: Sein Fleisch und Blut, o Kostbarkeit, vermacht er mir in meine Hände. Wie er es auf der Welt mit denen Seinen nicht böse können meinen, so liebt er sie bis an das Ende.

Although my heart swims in tears that Jesus is saying farewell to me, still his testament makes me glad: his flesh and blood, this treasure, he bequeaths into my hands.  As he can intend no evil in the world to his own, so he loves them until the end.

13

Soprano
Aria (da capo)

Ich will dir mein Herze schenken, senke dich, mein Heil, hinein! Ich will mich in dir versenken; ist dir gleich die Welt zu klein, ei, so sollst du mir allein mehr als Welt und Himmel sein.

I will give my heart to you. Sink into it, my salvation. I will immerse myself in you. Even if this world is too small for you, then you shall be more to me than all of heaven and Earth.

The ascent of the Mount of Olives is illustrated by a 13-note rising scale, the first seven notes being in the continuo, and the Evangelist continuing the phrase with the second part of his first sentence. The agitated staccato string semiquavers towards the end of the recitative illustrate the scattering of the Christian flock.

14

Evangelist

Und da sie den Lobgesang gesprochen hatten, gingen sie hinaus an den Ölberg. Da sprach Jesus zu ihnen:

And when they had sung an hymn they went out into the Mount of Olives. Thensaith Jesus unto them:

 

Jesus

“In dieser Nacht werdet ihr euch alle ärgern an mir. Denn es stehet geschrieben: Ich werde den Hirten schlagen, und die Schafe der Herde werden sich zerstreuen. Wenn ich aber auferstehe, will ich vor euch hingehen in Galiläam.”

“All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.”

Commentary by Peter Parfitt © Aberdeen Bach Choir 2012

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