Musical Moments #6 - Two for One Friday
“Music, like balm, eases grief’s smarting wound.”
–Alexander Pope in 1713
Born in Pennsylvania, John Antes lived a fascinating and well-traveled life, and through the lens of history, he emerges as an important musical figure in the young American nation. He was the first native-born composer both to write chamber music and to make a bowed string instrument. Antes was called to the ministry while living in Germany working as a watchmaker when in 1769 the Moravian Church sent him to Egypt as a missionary. While there, he was tortured and nearly killed by a brutal faction of the Ottoman Empire. Eventually, he returned to Germany before finishing his career in England as a business manager for the church. Antes’ life truly embodied the paradigm of the Renaissance man.
This Musical Moments selection features a solo and chorale. “Go, Congregation Go” pleas for all to witness the agony of Christ in Gethsemane where he was arrested the night before His crucifixion. The chorale that follows, “Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs,” is an often-selected text many composers throughout centuries have chosen to set, most likely because of its emotionally poignant message. The chorale’s text implores the listeners to understand Christ’s sacrifice: “Surely, he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions; he was buried for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace lay upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” The symphony was premiered in Carnegie Hall in December of 1893 and has been an orchestral staple ever since. This recording of a live, unedited performance is from this past February’s performance on our 85th Annual Bach Festival.
Soloist Sharla Nafziger sings this heart-wrenching selection with the Bach Choir passionately concluding the performance. The excerpt is from “Sing O Ye Heavens,” a Bach Festival 2007 CD.
The CD’s liner notes underscore, “This recording is not designed to have a commercial or studio sound, but rather to present this historical and spiritual music in a way that allows a listener to experience its genuine essence.”
–John V. Sinclair, Artistic Director and Conductor
“There is no feeling, perhaps, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music….”
–George Eliot
Go, Congregation Go by John Antes (1740-1811)
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“Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible
delights of the soul.”
–J. S. Bach
The term arioso originally refers to a vocal form somewhat between a recitative and aria, but has been expanded to instrumental works that possess a melodic, singing quality. Literally, it means “airy.” Perhaps the most famous example of this hybrid genre was composed by J.S. Bach. This arioso served as the opening sinfonia for cantata, BWV 156 Ich steh mit einen im Fuss im Grabe. (I am standing with one foot in the grave). This performance is from a live, unedited recent performance of the Bach Festival’s Spiritual Spaces concert. Our reading features an all string version of this gorgeous tune.
I believe that Bach’s music transcends time and mediums, never feeling outdated. Like a well-built structure, his music can withstand repurposing and deliver itself intact for many generations to know and love.
–John V. Sinclair, Artistic Director and Conductor
“A lamentable tune is the sweetest music to a woeful mind.”
-Sir Philip Sidney in 1590
Arioso by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
