GRCC HOME PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS - 2015-2016 SEASON
for February rehearsals at Grace & Holy Trinity
and March 6 Bach Marathon performance
All Choirs need to put more effort into completely memorizing Bach Cantata #80 - Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
Pronunciation reminders:
NO American "R"! Beginning R should sound "dd" as in "gross" (gddoss) or "Reich" (ddishe) Ending R should sound "ah" as in "wär" (veh-ah) and "sehr" (zeh-ah)
ie = ee as in "see"
ei = i as in "hi"
"W" sounds like "V". "V" sounds like "F".
"U" sounds like "oo" in the word "book".
"Ü" sounds like "ew" in the word "few".
Here are two recordings of Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott that are not Bach's Cantata, but that will help you with the German pronunciation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGVXZePjmis
Above is a choir from Meldorf singing Martin Luther's original version of the hymn, so the rhythm is different, but the words are clear with good pronunciation. They sing the four verses of the hymn, but we are only singing verses, 1, 3, and 4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOm1_ta4rGI
Ignore the scooping and spread tone. However, her pronunciation is good and the text is printed as she sings, which has proved to be very helpful in memorizing it for those who have listened. Again, there are 4 verses sung here and we are not singing the second verse. She sings "alt" as a one-syllable word, but it is printed and sung in our scores as "alte" - two syllables.
It is essential that you know what you are singing for you to properly interpret and memorize the words. Here is the line for line translation:
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, Cantata BWV 80, No. 1 (BWV 80b) 5, 8
1b. Coro
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, ein gute Wehr und Waffen;
A sturdy fortress is our God, a good defense and shield;
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not, die uns itzt hat betroffen.
He saves us from every distress that has now befallen us.
Der alte böse Feind, mit Ernst er's jetzt meint,
The old evil enemy is now attacking seriously,
Gross Macht und viel List sein grausam Rüstung ist,
Great power and much cunning are his dreadful armaments;
Auf Erd ist nicht seinsgleichen.
His like is not upon earth.
5. Choral
Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel wär, und wollten uns verschlingen,
And even if the world were full of devils who wanted to swallow us up,
So fürchten wir uns nicht so sehr, es soll uns doch gelingen.
We would not be much afraid; we shall succeed nevertheless;
Der Fürst dieser Welt, wie saur er sich stellt,
The Prince of this world, however threateningly he poses,
Tut er uns doch nicht, das macht, er ist gericht',
Can do nothing to us because he stands in judgment,
Ein Wörtlein kann ihn fällen.
One little word can bring him down.
8. Choral
Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn und kein' Dank dazu haben.
They shall ignore His Word and have no thanks for it.
Er ist bei uns wohl auf dem Plan mit seinem Geist und Gaben.
Even so, He is with us indeed as He promised, with His spirit and gifts.
Nehmen sie uns den Leib, Gut, Ehr, Kind, und Weib,
They may take away our body, property, honor, child and wife,
Lass fahren dahin, sie habens kein' Gewinn;
Though they take all away, they have no victory;
Das Reich muss uns doch bleiben.
The Kingdom of God remains with us.
Cantare Choir - Here is line for line translation ofBach's Cantata 111:
Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit, Cantata BWV 111
1. Coro
Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit, sein Will, der ist der beste;
That which my God resolves will always be done. His will is best.
Zu helfen den'n er ist bereit, die an ihn gläuben feste.
He is ready to help those whose faith is strong.
Er hilft aus Not, der fromme Gott, und züchtiget mit Massen:
Our merciful God helps in all our need. His chastening is measured.
Wer Gott vertraut, fest auf ihn baut, den will er nicht verlassen.
Who trusts in God builds on a rock. He never is forsaken.
2. Aria Basso
Entsetze dich, mein Herze, nicht, Gott is dein Trost und Zuversicht und deiner Seele Leben.
My heart, don't be anxious! God is your comfort and confidence, and the life of your soul.
Ja, was sein weiser Rat bedacht, dem kann die Welt und Menschenmacht unmoöglich widerstreben.
Yes, when the Lord has formed a plan, no world, no power, no human can stand against it.
3. Recitativo Alto
O Törichter! der sich von Gott entzieht und wie ein Jonas dort vor Gottes Angesichte flieht;
O foolish one, who separates himself from God, and like Jonah, flees from the face of God,
Auch unser Denken ist ihm offenbar, und unsers Hauptes Haar hat er gezählet.
He, who knows our every thought and can count every hair on our head.
Wohl dem, der diesen Schutz erwählet im gläubigen Vertrauen,
Good for them, who choose protection in faithful confidence,
Auf dessen Schluss und Wort mit Hoffnung und Geduld zu schauen.
And await his guidance and word with hope and patience.
4. Aria Duetto Alto e Tenore
So geh ich mit beherzten Schritten, auch wenn mich Gott zum Grabe führt.
So we go with courageous steps even when God leads us to the grave.
Gott hat die Tage aufgeschrieben,
God has well numbered all my days,
So wird, wenn seine Hand mich rührt, des Todes Bitterkeit vertrieben.
So that when his hand will comfort me, the sting of death shall be dispelled.
5. Recitativo Soprano
Drum wenn der Tod zuletzt den Geist noch mit Gewalt aus seinem Körper reisst,
When death at last, with ruthless force, shall wrest my soul from my flesh,
So nimm ihn, Gott, in treue Vaterhände!
Then take it, Lord, with Father's hands caressing;
Wenn Teufel, Tod und Sünde mich bekriegt und meine Sterbekissen ein Kampfplatz werden müssen,
When Devil, Death, and Sinfulness assail, and in my final hour, I fall before death's power,
So hilf, damit in dir mein Glaube siegt! O seliges, gewünschtes Ende!
Ah help, that in the end, my faith prevail, O longed for goal! O precious blessing!
6. Choral
Noch eins, Herr, will ich bitten dich, du wirst mir's nicht versagen:
One more thing, Lord, will I ask of you, you would not deny me this:
Wenn mich der böse Geist anficht, lass mich doch nicht verzagen.
If I would be plagued by the evil spirit, let me not be discouraged.
Hilf, steur und wehr, ach Gott, mein Herr, zu Ehren deinem Namen.
Help, guide and protect, oh God, my Lord, to honor your name.
Wer das begehrt, dem wird's gewährt; drauf sprech ich fröhlich: Amen.
Who longs for your presence receives your grace; therefore I say joyfully: Amen.
Cantare, Cavalieriand Pro Arte Choirs program for March 19. Put extra effort into learning the new songs in bold print below. All notes should be learned by Feb. 15 and memorized by Feb. 22.
March 19 Kennedy Center - 1 hour program exactly
Cantare: Me Nyame Ye - 2 min, Tutu 2:20, Non Nobis 1 min, Bach 80 no. 1 & 8 3 min.
Pro Arte: Wade in the Water 1:40, Ich will den Herrn 2 min, Song of the Stars 4:15
Evening Prayer (from Hansel & Gretel) 3 min.
Cavalieri: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern 3min,Lord Don't Move 3:48, sam was a man 2:15 (new)
Cantare: Holy City 3:15, Exhilaration 2:30 (new) Blue Skies 2:15 (new)
Concert Choir program for April 16. Begin working on this new music.
Sat. April 16, 2:00 p.m. Lyrics, Laughter & Learning! Richmond Public Library Gellman Room Concert, 101 E. Franklin St. 23219 - Concert Choir - new songs in bold
Evening Prayer - Humperdinck -3 min ,He's Got the Whole World in His Hands 2;30 min
We're Walking in the Air 4 min Mattaponi Song of Gratitude 3 min
May God Me Merciful A Frog Went A-Courtin'
Cherokee Morning Song 2 min
Friendship & Music round p. 20 - 2 min
Sumer Is A-Cumen In - 2 min.
Old MacDonald Had a Farm - 2 min.
Sing! - 3 min.
Treble Choir - new music for April 17. Begin working on this new music.
Sun. April 17, 11:00 a.m. Worship Service, Westover Hills United Methodist Church, 1705 Westover Hills Blvd. - Treble Choir
He's Got the Whole World in His Hand
Me Nyame Ye
Praise the Lord with Cheerful Noise Handel
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need 664
CONGRATULATIONS to ALL on your excellent performances at Winfree Baptist Church! Your home practice and efforts to make up for the snowed-out rehearsal were evident in the success of your performance. We received many accolades from our appreciative audience.
