June 14, 2024, my 60th birthday, began with a trip to a castle (my 169th!), and then Kate and I went back to her apartment in Leipzig for a bit of a rest and time for Kate to walk Riley the Wonder Dog.
That evening, as part of the International Bachfest, I had gotten tickets for Kate and me to attend a Bach Choral Cantatas Concert in the Nikolaikirche, one of the churches where Bach served.
So we walked into the city center. I was still taking pictures of the wonderful old buildings.
Kate took me to a nice place for my birthday dinner. I was taken with the Cherry Blossom Tonic.
After dinner, the evening light on the buildings was even more lovely.
And we arrived at the Nikolaikirche with the October 1989 monument out front.
Inside, well, we didn’t have the greatest seats as far as seeing the performers.
And I’m very glad there wasn’t a fire while we were there.
But what a beautiful church!
Here’s the similar balcony across from us.
But despite the seats, Oh! The music!
The performers were the Amsterdam Baroque Choir and Orchestra. All the words of the cantatas were listed in the program, in German – but translated into English as well.
Something I didn’t realize would happen was that each cantata begins and ends with congregational singing. I saw several people with big song books with the music and words and the program referenced that book. However, it turned out there was a pattern, and the congregational part matched the words of the stanzas printed in the program, so I could sing in German – or in one case, in English.
The first cantata was Christ Lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4.2, “Christ lay in the snares of death.” This cantata is mainly about Christ’s resurrection, and was full of joyful praise – and amazing singing.
The second cantata was Nun Danket Alle Gott, BWV 192 – “Now Thank We All Our God”! Yes, this is exactly my favorite Thanksgiving hymn that I sing every year at Thanksgiving. It was funny – the English translation in the program didn’t match the hymn as we English speakers actually sing it – but I sang the hymn I know when it was time for the congregational singing.
This cantata was a bit shorter, and the congregational singing didn’t cover all the verses, but I did love hearing a soaring soprano voice singing in German what I knew to mean, “O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us. With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us. And keep us in his grace, and guide us when perplexed, and keep us from all ills, in this world and the next.”
The third cantata was Was Gott Tut, Das Ist Wohlgetan, BWV 100, “Whatever God deals is dealt bountifully.” I thought all the words of this one were especially perfect for my 60th birthday and not being quite sure what life is going to hold for me next. Some of the lines that really touched me (and remember, they’re sung to amazingly beautiful music):
Whatever God deals is dealt bountifully:
his will remains just;
however he runs my affairs,
I will hold still before him.
He is my God,
who in time of trouble
well knows how to uphold me;
therefore I will just let him rule.
Whatever God deals is dealt bountifully:
he is my light, my life
who can grant me nothing evil;
I will surrender myself to him
in joy and sorrow!
The time will come
when it shall openly appear
how faithful is his intent.
And the fourth and final cantata was Sleepers Awake! Well, actually, it was Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns die Stimme, BWV 140, “Awake! We Are Called by the Voice.” I don’t know the words to this cantata, but I am very familiar with the tune, as the brass quintet my ex-husband performed with had an arrangement of the piece. I love its haunting melody, and hearing that melody with the words simply wrenched my heart.
This cantata is about the parable of the Ten Virgins, telling the listener to be ready, because the bridegroom (Jesus) is coming. There are a couple of astonishingly beautiful duets with a soprano and a bass as a conversation between “the soul” and Jesus. Here’s one such exchange:
Soul: When are you coming, my salvation?
Jesus: I am coming, your portion.
Soul: I am waiting with burning oil.
Soul and Jesus: Open/ I open the hall for the heavenly feast.
Soul: Come, Jesus!
Jesus: Come, lovely soul!
And the cantata goes on to joy and praise.
No eye has ever seen,
no ear has ever heard
such joy.
And I left the concert with songs in my heart. Such a beautiful day!