BWV 146 Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das
Reich Gottes eingehen
Jubilate (Third Sunday after Easter). Poet unknown. 1. Acts 14:22 (slightly altered); 8. transmitted without text; Neumann T suggests using Johann Rosenmüller or Johann Georg Albinus, verse 7 of "Alle Menschen müssen sterben," 1652 (Fischer-Tümpel, IV, #311); Wustmann supplies Gregorius Richter, verse 9 of "Lasset ab von euren Tränen," 1658 (Fischer-Tümpel, I, #309). 12 May 1726 or 1728 (Dürr), or ca. 1737 (Neumann T). BG 30; NBA I/11. 1. Sinfonia 2. Chorus [Dictum] (S, A, T, B) We have to pass through great sadness to come into God's kingdom. 3. Aria (A) I would unto heaven go,
For I'll live, indeed, with thee Nevermore at peace now. 4. Recit. (S) Ah! Were I but in heaven now!
5. Aria (S) I shall my tears of sorrow
6. Recit. (T) I am prepared
7. Aria (T, B) How will I be joyful, how will I take comfort,
When vex shall my heavenly bliss No grieving, weeping, and lament. 8. Chorale (S, A, T, B) [Ah, I have already witnessed
[For who blessed passeth thither,
1. The theme of metamorphosis from bad to good is found in each of Bach's three cantatas for Jubilate Sunday (BWV 12, 103, and 146), a theme appropriate to Acts 14:22: "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." In BWV 12/6 Regen is changed to Segen; in BWV 103/1 Traurigkeit to Freude; in the present passage Herzeleid 'heart's distress' is transformed with a play on words to Herrlichkeit 'splendidness.' Paul Gerhardt offers a pattern for this kind of word-play in the final chorale of BWV 103: Leid 'pain' is to be transformed into Freud, with ei and eu pronounced almost alike in Bach's time and region. 4. The text supplied by Neumann T. 5. The text supplied by Wustmann. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |