Aubry Ballaro-Hagadorn, soprano
Suzannah Waddington, soprano
Caitlin Powell, contralto
Gary Seydell, tenor
Timothy Renner, bass
Tenth Church Choir
Tenth Chamber Players
Colin Howland, conductor
Credo, RV 591 Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
1. Credo in unum Deum
2. Et incarnatus est
3. Crucifixus
4. Et resurrexit
Sinfonia in D Major Johann Christian Hertel (1697–1754)
Cantata 21: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis in meinem Herzen Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
1. Sinfonia
2. Chorus: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis in meinem Herzen
3. Aria: Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not – Soprano
4. Recitative: Wie hast du dich, mein Gott – Tenor
5. Aria: Bäche von gesalznen Zähren – Tenor
6. Chorus: Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele
7. Recitative (Dialogue): Ach Jesu, meine Ruh – Soprano (Soul), Bass (Jesus)
8. Aria (Duet): Komm, mein Jesu, und erquicke – Soprano (Soul), Bass (Jesus)
9. Chorus: Sei nun wieder zufrieden, meine Seele
10. Aria: Erfreue dich, Seele – Tenor
11. Chorus: Das Lamm, das erwürget ist
Credo, RV 591 Antonio Vivaldi
Vivaldi was employed as a violin teacher and composer by the Ospedale de Pietà, an orphanage in Venice, from 1703–1715 and again from 1723–1740. Based on the number and complexity of the works he wrote for them, he must have had many very talented musicians there. In addition to concertos and vocal music, he wrote several cantatas and other church music. His Credo, RV 591 was written sometime between 1713 and 1717 for string orchestra and SATB chorus. Originally written in 325 AD at the First Council of Nicaea and later revised at the First Council of Constantinople in 381, The Nicene Creed was formulated to uphold the biblical doctrine of the Trinity, and defend the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ over against heresies which were prevalent at those times. Vivaldi’s musical setting divides the Creed into four movements. The first and last movements focus on Jesus’ divine nature and are set in very similar styles. The inner two movements dwell on Christ’s humanity and role as Savior.
1. Credo in unum Deum
Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipoténtem, factórem cæli et terræ, visibílium ómnium et invisibílium.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
Et in unum Dóminum Iesum Christum, Fílium Dei Unigénitum, et ex Patre natum ante ómnia sæcula.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.
Deum de Deo, lumen de lúmine, Deum verum de Deo vero, génitum, non factum, consubstantiálem Patri: per quem ómnia facta sunt.
God of God, light of light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Qui propter nos hómines et propter nostram salútem descéndit de cælis.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven.
2. Et incarnátus est
Et incarnátus est de Spíritu Sancto ex María Vírgine, et homo factus est.
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary; and was made man.
3. Crucifíxus
Crucifíxus étiam pro nobis sub Póntio Piláto; passus, et sepúltus est.
He was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried.
4. Et resurréxi
Et resurréxit tértia die, secúndum Scriptúras, et ascéndit in cælum, sedet ad déxteram Patris.
And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father.
Et íterum ventúrus est cum glória, iudicáre vivos et mórtuos, cuius regni non erit finis.
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and His kingdom shall have no end.
Et in Spíritum Sanctum, Dóminum et vivificántem: qui ex Patre Filióque procédit.
And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
Qui cum Patre et Fílio simul adorátur et conglorificátur: qui locútus est per prophétas.
Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
Et unam, sanctam, cathólicam et apostólicam Ecclésiam.
And (I believe) in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
Confíteor unum baptísma in remissiónem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam ventúri sæculi. Amen.
I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I await the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Cantata 21 Johann Sebastian Bach
The libretto for Cantata 21 is a combination of scriptural quotations (green type), a chorale text (violet type), and poetic reflection (black type). Bach carefully combines the texts in order to enable the listeners to become active participants in the drama which unfolds. After all, Bach composed his cantatas for services of Divine worship; his intentions go much deeper than simply offering a beautiful piece of art music to be enjoyed and admired. Rather, he wants his listeners to see their lives in the light of God’s Word and then respond in appropriate worship and praise. The Scripture, the chorale, and the poetry therefore offer three different voices or perspectives to consider. The Scripture verses contained in movements 2, 6, 9, and 11 are ultimate truths which provide the diagnosis of the human spiritual condition and offer the certain hope of salvation in God: the believer can be overcome with affliction, but God’s own consolations restore the soul. The chorale in movement 9 serves as a voice of exhortation to hearken to the truths of Scripture. The poetry in the remaining movements personalize the struggle and serve as a kind of spiritual stream of consciousness. This stream of consciousness culminates in a compelling dialogue between the soul of the believer and the Lord Jesus in movements 7 and 8.
Cantata 21 deals with a fundamental question of our humanity: “where is God when things go wrong?” It offers the assurance that God never abandons those who call out to Him; God Himself will comfort the afflicted with His love. How can we know this is true? We know it is true because of what Good Friday commemorates. Jesus Christ was utterly abandoned by God on the cross so that we never would be. The condemnation we deserve for our own sinfulness was borne by Him. The prophet Isaiah put it this way: “But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). With this in mind, the cantata ends triumphantly with these words from Scripture: “The lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and praise and glory” (Revelation 5:12).
First Part
1. Sinfonia
2. Chorus (Psalm 94:19)
Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis in meinem Herzen;
I had much affliction in my heart,
aber deine Tröstungen erquicken meine Seele.
but your consolations restore my soul.
3. Aria – Soprano
Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not, Ängstlichs Sehnen, Furcht und Tod
Sighs, tears, grief, distress, anxious longing, fear and death
Nagen mein beklemmtes Herz, Ich empfinde Jammer, Schmerz.
gnaw at/prey upon my oppressed heart, I feel misery, pain.
4. Recitative – Tenor
Wie hast du dich, mein Gott, in meiner Not,
Why have you, my God, in my distress
In meiner Furcht und Zagen denn ganz von mir gewandt?
in my fear and trepidation quite turned away from me?
Ach! kennst du nicht dein Kind? Ach! hörst du nicht das Klagen
Ah! do you not know your child? Ah! do you not hear the lamentation
Von denen, die dir sind mit Bund und Treu verwandt?
of those who are to you related by covenant and faith?
Du warest meine Lust und bist mir grausam worden;
You were my joy and have become cruel to me
Ich suche dich an allen Orten, Ich ruf und schrei dir nach,
I look for you in all places, I call and cry out to you,
Allein mein Weh und Ach! Scheint itzt, als sei es dir ganz unbewußt.
only my ‘woe and alas!’ seem now to be quite unnoticed by you.
5. Aria – Tenor
Bäche von gesalznen Zähren, fluten rauschen stets einher.
Streams of salty tears, floods rush always along.
Sturm und Wellen mich versehren, Und dies trübsalsvolle Meer
Storm and waves harm me, and this sea full of sorrows
Will mir Geist und Leben schwächen. Mast und Anker wollen brechen,
wants to weaken my spirit and life. Mast and anchor are about to break,
Hier versink ich in den Grund, Dort seh ins der Hölle Schlund.
Here I sink into the ground, there I look into the abyss of Hell.
6. Chorus (Psalm 42:5)
Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele, und bist so unruhig in mir?
Why are you distressed, my soul, and are so restless in me?
Harre auf Gott; denn ich werde ihm noch danken,
Wait on God; for I shall yet thank him
daß er meines Angesichtes Hilfe und mein Gott ist.
that I shall see him as my help and my God.
Second Part
7. Recitative (Dialogue) – Soprano (Soul), Bass (Jesus)
Soprano (Soul):
Ach Jesu, meine Ruh, mein Licht, wo bleibest du?
Ah Jesus, my inner peace, my light, where do you stay?
Bass (Jesus):
O Seele sieh! Ich bin bei dir.
Oh soul, see! I am with you.
Soprano (Soul):
Bei mir? Hier ist ja lauter Nacht.
With me? Here is only night.
Bass (Jesus):
Ich bin dein treuer Freund, der auch im Dunkeln wacht, Wo lauter Schalken seind.
I am your faithful friend who watches also in darkness where only rogues are.
Soprano (Soul):
Brich doch mit deinem Glanz und Licht des Trostes ein.
Break through then with your splendor and light of comfort.
Bass (Jesus):
Die Stunde kömmet schon, da deines Kampfes Kron’ dir wird ein süßes Labsal sein.
The hour comes already, since the crown of your struggle will be a sweet refreshment for you.
8. Aria (Duet) – Soprano (Soul), Bass (Jesus)
Soprano (Soul):
Komm, mein Jesu, und erquicke,
Come, my Jesus, and restore
Und erfreu mit deinem Blicke.
and rejoice with your look
Diese Seele,
This soul
Die soll sterben,
that must die
Und nicht leben
and not live
Und in ihrer Unglückshöhle
and in its den of misfortune
Ganz verderben.
wholly perish.
Ich muß stets in Kummer schweben,
I must always be suspended in misery
Ja, ach ja, ich bin verloren!
Yes, oh, yes, I am lost
Nein, ach nein, du hassest mich!
No, ah, no, you hate me!
Ach, Jesu, durchsüße mir Seele und Herze,
Jesus, sweeten my soul and heart.
Komm, mein Jesus, und erquicke
Come, Jesus, and restore
Mit deinem Gnadenblicke!
with your look of grace.
Bass (Jesus):
Ja, ich komme und erquicke
Yes, I come and restore
Dich mit meinem Gnadenblicker,
you with my look of grace
Deine Seele,
Your soul
Die soll leben,
that must live
Und nicht sterben
and not die
Hier aus dieser wunden Höhle
here from this den of wounds
Sollst du erben
you shall be given
Heil! durch diesen Saft der Reben,
Salvation! through this juice of the grape
Nein, ach nein, du bist erkoren!
No, oh no, you are chosen
Ja, ach ja, ich liebe dich!
Yes, oh, yes,I love you!
Entweichet, ihr Sorgen, verschwinde, du Schmerze!
Give way, worries, vanish, pain!
Ja, ich komme und erquicke
Yes, I come and restore
Dich mit meinem Gnadenblicke
you with my look of grace.
9. Chorus (Psalm 116:7) – Soprano, Alto, Bass
Sei nun wieder zufrieden, meine Seele, denn der Herr tut dir Guts.
Be satisfied again now, my soul, for the Lord does good to you.
Tenors/Basses (Chorale):
Was helfen uns die schweren Sorgen, was hilft uns unser Weh und Ach?
What help to us are heavy sorrows, what help to us are our ‘woe’ and ‘alas’?
Was hilft es, daß wir alle Morgen beseufzen unser Ungemach?
What does it help, that we every morning sigh over our troubles?
Wir machen unser Kreuz und Leid nur größer durch die Traurigkeit.
We make our cross and suffering only greater through sadness.
Sopranos (Chorale):
Denk nicht in deiner Drangsalshitze, daß du von Gott verlassen seist,
Do not think in the heat of your distress that you have been abandoned by God
Und daß Gott der im Schoße sitze, der sich mit stetem Glücke speist.
and that that man sits in God’s bosom who always feeds on good fortune.
Die folgend Zeit verändert viel und setzet jeglichem sein Ziel.
The course of time changes many things and appoints his end to everything.
10. Aria – Tenor
Erfreue dich, Seele, erfreue dich, Herze, entweiche nun, Kummer, verschwinde, du Schmerze!
Rejoice, my soul, rejoice, my heart, give way, cares, vanish, pain!
Verwandle dich, Weinen, in lauteren Wein, es wird nun mein Ächzen ein Jauchzen mir sein!
Change, weeping and whining, into pure wine, now my lamentation will become exaltation!
Es brennet und sammet die reineste Kerze der Liebe, des Trostes in Seele und Brust,
Now there burns and flames the purest candle of love and consolation in my soul and breast,
Weil Jesus mich tröstet mit himmlischer Lust.
since Jesus consoles me with heavenly joy.
11. Chorus (Revelation 5:12–13)
Das Lamm, das erwürget ist, ist würdig zu nehmen
The lamb that was slain is worthy to receive
Kraft und Reichtum und Weisheit und Stärke und Ehre und Preis und Lob.
power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and praise and glory.
Lob und Ehre und Preis und Gewalt sei unserm Gott von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit. Amen, Alleluja!
Glory and honor and praise and power be to our God for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!