BACH VESPERS AT ST. THOMAS FOR ALL SOULS’ DAY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011 5:30PM

Welcome to St. Thomas! Evening prayer services are part of a tradition of Christian prayer that dates back centuries to the monastic canonical hours, a series of daily prayers sung throughout the day. Out of this tradition the Anglican Church developed its unique evening prayer service, Evensong. The Bach Vespers service combines this Anglican tradition of evening prayer with another remarkable contribution to Christian worship, the cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach. For much of his life Bach worked as a church musician, and his responsibilities included composing, preparing, and performing suitable music each week to reflect on and interpret the readings of the day. The fruits of this labor are the cantatas: a treasury of several hundred sacred vocal works that guide the listener through the seasons of the liturgical year. Our service uses a single cantata as the focal point for our prayers. We strive to reflect not only on the words and their meaning, but also on the immense beauty of our Godgiven world and lives. One window into this beauty is the music of Bach.

NOTES ON THE MUSIC Bach's Cantata 106 (Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit) is commonly referred to as "Actus Tragicus" and is the closest thing to a Requiem that Bach ever wrote. While many of Bach's cantatas treat death as a welcome respite to the bitterness of earthly existence, in BWV 106 Bach--only 22 and likely composing for the funeral of his uncle--offers a different reaction. The piece begins with a reminder of age-old wisdom (God's time is the best time); helps us to ask for understanding (the implication of which is that we currently don't really understand); and asks us to prepare ourselves for our own inevitable death. Like many of Bach's compositions this piece has a structural symmetry, and it is in the critical central section where Bach combines the Old Testament law that "everything must perish" with the New Testament Promise that it is through Jesus Christ that we gain life. Here the lower three choral voices (alto, tenor and bass) sing a stern canon defining the law, but the soprano interrupts and dances above, promising "Yes, yes, Jesus comes!" To add to this remarkable texture is yet a third layer, that of the instruments playing a choral tune "Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt" (I have left all that concerns me up to God). A haunting alto aria follows proclaim acceptance of death of offering ourselves into God's hands, and this is answered by the exuberant, lilting words of Jesus "Today you will be with me in paradise." The altos quietly sing another choral tune over the top of Jesus' words, with striking pauses on the words Schlaft (sleep) and stille (calm). The concluding section is a choral exclamation point of praise and the opening tear-drop motifs, first heard in the recorders, now transformed into bursts of joy.

This presentation of Bach Cantata 106 by the Windrush Ensemble and the Cincinnati Bach Ensemble is possible because of the generous support of

John and Frances Monroe We thank them for their gift to St. Thomas and the Bach Vespers. As a ministry of St. Thomas, the Bach Vespers is free and open for anyone to attend. There is a collection taken during the service for those who would like to contribute. We are thankful for and depend on the gifts of our guests and patrons to sustain this program. If you would like more information about helping to support Bach Vespers at St. Thomas please contact Dr. Carlton Monroe, Director of Music, at [email protected].

To maintain an atmosphere of prayer, please do not applaud during the service.

PRELUDE

Nun Bitten Wir

INTROIT

Sicut cervus

Dietrich Buxtehude G. P. Palestrina

INVITATORY AND PSALTER Please stand. Officiant People

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Officiant and People

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Please be seated.

PSALM 130

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice; * let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication. If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, * O Lord, who could stand? For there is forgiveness with you; * therefore you shall be feared. I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; * in his word is my hope. My soul waits for the LORD, more than watchmen for the morning, * more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, wait for the LORD, * for with the LORD there is mercy; With him there is plenteous redemption, * and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

FIRST LESSON Please be seated.

Wisdom 3:1-9

CANTICLE

Please be stand and sing.

“Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord”

SECOND LESSON

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Please be seated.

CANTATA

Hymnal 438

Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zei (Actus Tragicus), BWV 106 Cantata for a Funeral Service

J. S. Bach

1. Sonatina

1. Sonatina

2a. Chor Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit. In ihm leben, weben und sind wir, solange er will. In ihm sterben wir zur rechten Zeit, wenn er will. (Acts 17:28)

2a. Chorus God's time is the best of all times. In Him we live, move and are, as long as He wills. In Him we die at the appointed time, when He wills.

2b. Arioso T Ach, Herr, lehre uns bedenken, daß wir sterben müssen, auf daß wir klug werden. (Psalm 90:12)

2b. Arioso T Ah, Lord, teach us to consider that we must die, so that we might become wise.

2c. Arie B Bestelle dein Haus; denn du wirst sterben und nicht lebendig bleiben! (Isaiah 38:1)

2c. Aria B Put your house in order; for you will die and not remain alive!

2d. Chor und Arioso S Es ist der alte Bund: Mensch, du mußt sterben! (Ecclesiasticus 14:17) Ja, komm, Herr Jesu! ( Revelations 22:20) (Instrumental Chorale: Ich hab mein Sach' Gott heimgestellt Er mach's mit mir wie's ihm gefällt Soll ich all hier noch länger lebn Nicht wider strebn Seim Willn tu ich mich ganz ergebn.) ("Ich hab mein Sach' Gott heimgestellt," verse 1)

2d. Chorus and Arioso S It is the ancient law: human, you must die!

3a. Arie A In deine Hände befehl ich meinen Geist; du hast mich erlöset, Herr, du getreuer Gott. (Psalm 31:6)

3a. Aria A Into Your hands I commit my spirit, You have redeemed me, Lord, faithful God.

3b. Arioso und Choral B A Heute wirst du mit mir im Paradies sein. (Luke 23:43) Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin In Gottes Willen, Getrost ist mir mein Herz und Sinn,

3b. Arioso and Chorale B A Today you will be with Me in Paradise.

Yes, come, Lord Jesus! (Instrumental Chorale: I have brought my affairs home to God, He does with me as it pleases Him, if I should live yet longer here, I shall not struggle against it; rather I do His will with total devotion).

With peace and joy I depart in God's will, My heart and mind are comforted,

Sanft und stille. Wie Gott mir verheißen hat: Der Tod ist mein Schlaf worden. ("Mit Fried und Freud," verse 1)

calm, and quiet. As God had promised me: death has become my sleep.

4. Chor Glorie, Lob, Ehr und Herrlichkeit Sei dir, Gott Vater und Sohn bereit', Dem Heilgen Geist mit Namen! Die göttlich Kraft Mach uns sieghaft Durch Jesum Christum, Amen. ("In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr," verse 7)

4. Chorus Glory, praise, honor, and majesty be prepared for You, God the Father and the Son, for the Holy Spirit by name! The divine power makes us victorious through Jesus Christ, Amen.

Acts 17:28 (mov't. 2a); Psalm 90:12 (mov't. 2b); Isaiah 38:1 (mov't. 2c); Ecclesiasticus 14:17 and Revelations 22:20, "Ich hab mein Sach' Gott heimgestellt," verse 1: Johannes Leon 1589 (mov't. 2d); Ps. 31:6 (mov't. 3a); Luke 23:43 and "Mit Fried und Freud," verse 1: Martin Luther 1524 (mov't. 3b); "In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr," verse 7: Adam Reusner 1533 (mov't. 4) ©Pamela Dellal

APOSTLES’ CREED Please stand.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS Officiant People Officiant

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

Officiant and People

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will

be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Officiant

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord. That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord. That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord. That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord. The Collects

Following each Collect, the people respond, AMEN.

OFFICE HYMN

“The duteous day now closeth” Verse 2: Choir only

Hymnal 46

Please stand and sing. An offering will be taken at this time.

The General Thanksgiving Officiant and People

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. Officiant

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Officiant

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 Voluntary

Fugue in b minor BWV 544/2

Assisting this Evening

The People of St. Thomas, Ministers The Rev. Darren Elin, Officiant Dr. Carlton Monroe, Director of Music Jason Gunnell, Organist Mary Southworth, soprano Eric Jurenas, counter-tenor Dashiel Waterbury, tenor Emmett O’Hanlon, baritone

J. S. Bach

The Cincinnati Bach Ensemble Sarah Jackson, recorder Rick Arnest, recorder Annalisa Pappano, viol da gamba Micah Fusselman, viol da gamba Karen Kruse, cello Rosemary Ritter, continuo

The Windrush Ensemble Dr. Brett Scott and Dr. Carlton Monroe, Directors Sopranos Tenors Krista Cornish Scott Brian Donaldson Audrey Luna Darren Elin Mary Southworth Jeffrey Stivers Altos Ray Wheeler Sarah Jackson Basses Eric Jurenas Michael Ciavaglia Kate Tombaugh Mark Woolsey Angie Wheeler Carlton Monroe Brett Scott

Music at St. Thomas 2011-2012 Bach Vespers

Evening prayer featuring the Cincinnati Bach Ensemble Sundays, 5:30pm (Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 4, May 6)

Friends of the Choir Benefit Concert

A evening of wine, desserts and music with the Choral Scholars and friends Friday, November 11, 7:30pm

Advent Lessons and Carols

Music of the season with the Choirs of St. Thomas Sunday, December 4, 5:30pm

Christmas Eve Choral Prelude Charpentier’s Song of the Birth of Our Lord Sunday, December 24, 10:30pm

IN CONCERT: Ensemble Sine Nomine Baroque music for recorder, oboe, and continuo January 29, 5:30pm

IN CONCERT: The Catacoustic Consort

IN SONG LAY MY DESIRE: Cincinnati’s premiere early music ensemble by candelight February 18, 8:00pm

Palm Sunday Vespers John Stainer’s The Crucifixion Sunday, April 1, 5:30pm

IN CONCERT: The Choirs of St. Thomas Dvorak’s Mass in D, and works by Britten, Gjeilo and Pärt Sunday, April 29, 5pm

St. Thomas Episcopal Church The Rev. Darren R. S. Elin, Rector

www.stthomasepiscopal.org