Du Hirte Israel, höre

BWV 104 Johann Sebastian Bach

(1685-1750)

Matthew Goinz, conductor Michael Butler, tenor

Collin Power, bass

Chorus Orchestra Amy Broadbent, soprano James Stern, violin Amelia Brooks-Everist, soprano Tong Li, violin Beth Ann Zinkievich, soprano Jane Lee, viola Bella Cadirola, alto Mark Hill, oboe Mihika Kulkarni, alto Stephanie Treat, oboe Anya Trudeau, alto Nathaniel Wolff, English horn Michael Butler, tenor Katie McCarthy, cello Mark Helms, tenor Daphine Henderson, bass Jonathan King, tenor Theodore Guerrant, organ Dale Auen, bass Nathan Lofton, bass Collin Power, bass

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 12:30pm Gildenhorn Recital Hall, The Clarice

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Join us for our next Bach Cantata on Thursday, October 14 at 1:30pm in the Grand Pavilion.

BWV 104: “Du Hirte Israel, höre” Du Hirte Israel, höre, (BWV 104) premiered in 1724, Bach’s second year as cantor at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, a position he would hold until his death in 1750. Written for Misericordias Domini (the second Sunday after Easter in the Lutheran church calendar), Bach’s gentle musical pastorale creates a soothing atmosphere of refreshment and renewal. 1. Choir Du Hirte Israel, höre, der du Joseph hütest wie der Schafe, erscheine, der du sitzest über Cherubim. (Psalm 80:1-2) 2. Tenor Recitative Der höchste Hirte sorget vor mich, Was nützen meine Sorgen? Es wird ja alle Morgen Des Hirten Güte neu. Mein Herz, so fasse dich, Gott ist getreu. 3. Tenor Aria Verbirgt mein Hirte sich zu lange, Macht mir die Wüste allzu bange, Mein schwacher Schritt eilt dennoch fort. Mein Mund schreit nach dir, Und du mein Hirte, wirkst in mir Ein gläubig Abba durch dein Wort. 4. Bass Recitative Ja, dieses Wort ist meiner Seelen Speise, Ein Labsal meiner Brust, Die Weide, die ich meine Lust, Des Himmels Vorschmack, ja mein alles heiße. Ach! Sammle nur, o guter Hirte, Uns Arme und Verirrte; Ach laß den Weg nur bald geendet sein Und führe uns in deinen Schafstall ein!

You Shepherd of Israel, hear, You who watch over Joseph like a sheep, appear, You who sit above the Cherubim. The Highest Shepherd watches over me, what use are my worries? Indeed every morning is the Shepherd goodness renewed. My heart, take hold of yourself, God is faithful. Though my Shepherd might remain hidden, though the wilderness makes me all too fearful, nevertheless my weak steps hurry forth. My mouth cries to You, and You my Shepherd, inspire in me a faithful “Abba” through Your word. Yes, this word is the nourishment of my soul, a refreshment to my breast, the pasture, which I call my delight, the fortaste of heaven, indeed my all. Ah! Only gather, o good Shepherd, us poor and erring ones; ah, let our journey soon reach an end and lead us into your sheepfold

5. Bass Aria Beglückte Herde, Jesu Schafe, Der Welt ist euch ein Himmelreich. Hier schmeckt ihr Jesu Güte schon Und hoffet noch des Glaubens Lohn Nach einem sanften Todesschlafe. 6. Choir Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt, Dem ich mich ganze vertraue, Zur Weid er mich, sein Schäflein, führt, Auf schöner grünen Aue, Zum frischen Wasser leit' er mich, Mein Seel zu laben kräftiglich Durchs selig Wort der Gnaden. (“Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt” verse 1)

Happy flock, sheep of Jesus, the world is a heavenly kingdom to you. Here you already taste Jesus goodness and hope still for faith’s reward after a gentle sleep of death. The Lord is my faithful shepherd, to whom I entrust myself totally, He leads me, His lamb, to pasture in a lovely green meadow, He leads me to fresh water, to refresh my soul powerfully through the blessed word of grace.

©Pamela Dellal