I have been listening to a fantastic recording of an incredible performance of J. S. Bach's Magnificat, as I do every year especially at this time. I am dying to share some of the liner notes with you but, alas, have not secured permission to do so, so you'll just have to purchase it for yourself! Or at least check the listening samples.* Written for Christmas Vespers in Leipzig (Lutheran service) in the year 1723, Magnificat, BWV 243a, is here rendered on original instruments or authentic reproductions according to the best available scholarship on performance practice of the time, by the New London Consort under the direction of Philip Pickett.
The English translation of the (Latin) libretto to the Magnificat:
I CHORUS My soul doth magnify the Lord.
II ARIA – Soprano II And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
A CHORUS I come down from Heaven above, bringing you good news;
I bring you good news of which I shall tell you.
[well-known chorale, von Himmel hoch, libretto
in German]
III ARIA – Soprano I For he hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden;
For behold from henceforth I shall be called blessed
IV CHORUS by all generations.
V ARIA – Bass For He that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
B CHORUS Rejoice and sing with gladness:
in Bethlehem you will find
the dear baby Jesus,
who will be your delight and joy.
VI DUET – Alto, Tenor And His mercy is on them that fear
Him throughout all generations.
VII CHORUS He hath shewed strength with His arm:
He hath scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts.
C CHORUS Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to men of goodwill.
VIII ARIA – Tenor He hath put down the mighty from their seat
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
IX ARIA – Alto He hath filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He hath sent empty away.
D DUET – Soprano I, Bass Jesse’s stem has blossomed,
our Emmanuel has appeared:
He has put on human flesh,
and become a delightful child.
Alleluia.
X TRIO – Soprano I,
Soprano II, Alto He remembering his mercy
hath holpen His servant Israel.
XI CHORUS As He promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed, forever.
XII CHORUS Glory be to the Father, and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was now in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
*There is spectacular natural-trumpet playing on this recording; see tracks 1, 7, 9, and 17 especially (first 7 tracks are Cantata BWV 63, "Christen, atzet diesen Tag.")
