Cantata 22 (Koopman)

Unknown, Jesus predicts his death, Evangelicae historiae imagines, 1593

Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe
Jesus took the twelve to himself

Cantata 22
BWV22



Event: Quinquagesima Sunday [Estomihi] [Test piece for the position of Cantor at St Thomas’s, Leipzig]
First Performance:
February 7, 1723, Leipzig
Readings: Epistle:
1 Corinthians 13: 1-13; Gospel: Luke 18: 31-43
Text: Luke 18: 31 & 34 (Mvt. 1);
Elisabeth Kreuziger (Mvt. 5); Anon (Mvts. 2-4)
Chorale Text:
Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn
Possible Liturgical Use According to the Revised Common Lectionary: Year 8: Proper 25 (30)


Click to read brief commentaries by Simon Crouch for Classical Net, Brian Roberts for All Music, Craig Smith for Emmanuel Music and the Bach Cantata Guide.

Cantata 22 performed by Alto: Elisabeth von Magnus; Tenor: Paul Agnew; Bass: Klaus Mertens; Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir; Ton Koopman conducting. Recorded at Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam, Holland.

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1) Arioso [Tenor, Bass] & Chorus [S, A, T, B] Oboe, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Tenor:
Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe und sprach:
Jesus took the twelve to himself and spoke:

Bass:
Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem,
See, we are going up to Jerusalem

und es wird alles vollendet werden,
and all will be accomplished

das geschrieben ist von des Menschen Sohn.
that has been written about the Son of Man.


Chorus:
Sie aber vernahmen der keines

But they understood none of this

und wußten nicht, was das gesaget war.
and did not know what had been said.


2) Aria [Alto] Oboe solo, Continuo

Mein Jesu, ziehe mich nach dir,
My Jesus, draw me after you,

Ich bin bereit, ich will von hier
I am ready, I want to go from here

Und nach Jerusalem zu deinen Leiden gehn.
and up to Jerusalem to your suffering.

Wohl mir, wenn ich die Wichtigkeit
Happy am I, if the importance

Von dieser Leid- und Sterbenszeit
of this time of suffering and death

Zu meinem Troste kann durchgehends wohl verstehn!
I can thoroughly understand for my consolation.


3) Recitative [Bass] Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Mein Jesu, ziehe mich, so werd ich laufen,
My Jesus, draw me, so that I shall hurry after you,

Denn Fleisch und Blut verstehet ganz und gar,
for flesh and blood competely fails to understand -

Nebst deinen Jüngern nicht, was das gesaget war.
just like your disciples - what was said.
Es sehnt sich nach der Welt und nach dem größten Haufen;
Flesh and blood long for the world and the greatest crowds;

Sie wollen beiderseits, wenn du verkläret bist,
they want on both sides, when you have been transfigured,

Zwar eine feste Burg auf Tabors Berge bauen;
to build indeed a strong fortress on Mount Tabor;

Hingegen Golgatha, so voller Leiden ist,
in contrast,Golgotha, that is full of suffering

In deiner Niedrigkeit mit keinem Auge schauen.
in your humiliation, they do not want to behold at all.

Ach! kreuzige bei mir in der verderbten Brust
Ah! crucify for me in my corrupt breast

Zuvörderst diese Welt und die verbotne Lust,
first of all this world and the forbidden pleasures,

So werd ich, was du sagst, vollkommen wohl verstehen
and then I shall perfectly understand what you say

Und nach Jerusalem mit tausend Freuden gehen.
and go to Jerusalem with a thousand joys.

4) Aria ]Tenor] Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Mein alles in allem, mein ewiges Gut,
My all in all, my everlasting good,

Verbeßre das Herze, verändre den Mut;
make better my heart, change my disposition;

Schlag alles darnieder,
beat down everything

Was dieser Entsagung des Fleisches zuwider!
which is against this denial of the flesh!

Doch wenn ich nun geistlich ertötet da bin,
but when I am spiritually dead,

So ziehe mich nach dir in Friede dahin!
then draw me after you in peace.

5) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Oboe, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Ertöt uns durch dein Güte,
Kill us through your kindness,

Erweck uns durch dein Gnad;
awaken us through your grace;

Den alten Menschen kränke,
make sick the old man,

Daß der neu' leben mag
so that the new man may live

Wohl hie auf dieser Erden,
well here on this earth,

Den Sinn und all Begehren
so that the mind and all desires

Und G'danken hab'n zu dir.
and thoughts may be directed to you.

The German Text: http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/bach.html. The English Translation is by Francis Browne: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Intro.htm. Both used by permission.