Bach: Cantata “Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen" | Philippe Herreweghe, Collegium Vocale Gent
A sea voyage full of fear, agony and hopelessness: all this is contained in Bach's cantata “Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen“ (Jesus sleeps, what shall I hope for?), BWV 81, in which not only Jesus but also Johann Sebastian Bach performs true musical miracles. Watch more concerts like this one.
Philippe Herreweghe conducts his Collegium Vocale Gent in a live recording from the Leipzig Bach Festival on June 10, 2023 in the Leipzig’s St. Thomas Church.
- I. Aria (Altus): Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?
- II. Recitativo (Tenor): Herr! warum trittest du so ferne?
- III. Aria (Tenor): Die schäumenden Wellen von Belials Bächen
- IV. Arioso (Bass): Ihr Kleingläubigen, warum seid ihr so furchtsam?
- V. Aria (Bass): Schweig, aufgetürmtes Meer!
- VI. Recitativo (Altus): Wohl mir, mein Jesus spricht ein Wort
- VII. Chorale: Unter deinen Schirmen
The performers:
- ALEX POTTER | Altus
- BENEDICT HYMAS | Tenor
- PETER KOOIJ | Bass
- COLLEGIUM VOCALE GENT
- PHILIPPE HERREWEGHE | Conductor
The libretto:
The rough sea, the fearful souls and the pitching boats are clearly depicted in both music and words. The libretto of the cantata depicts the exact course of events from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 8 in the Bible.
A dramatic scene:
Jesus and his disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat when they are caught in a storm. The disciples fear for their lives, while Jesus sleeps peacefully and deeply.
The music is gripping, with the Bach playlist featuring more of this kind of sacred music.
Watch the Baroque playlist for more Bach and classical music.
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