Es ist vollbracht.
In observance of the now-annual Good Friday tradition of this blog, here is the aria "Es ist vollbracht" ("It is accomplished") from J. S. Bach's Johannes-Passion, BWV 245. This video comes from a 1985 performance by Concentus Musicus Wien and the Tölzer Knabenchor, directed by Nikolaus Harnoncourt; the soloists are Panito Iconomou (alto) and Christophe Coin (playing the viola da gamba, a Baroque instrument).
In the Johannes-Passion, this aria comes immediately after Jesus' final words on the cross - "Es ist vollbracht" in the German text - and right before the Evangelist announces Jesus' death. Given below in the original German and in an English translation from the Bach Cantatas Website, the words of the aria move from mournful lament to sure yet somber faith in Christ's final victory:
Es ist vollbracht!
O Trost vor die gekränkten Seelen!
Die Trauernacht
Läßt nun die letzte Stunde zählen.
Der Held aus Juda siegt mit Macht
Und schließt den Kampf.
Es ist vollbracht!
---
It is accomplished!
What comfort for all suffering souls!
The night of sorrow
now reaches its final hours.
The hero from Judah triumphs in his might
and brings the strife to an end.
It is accomplished!
Prayers for those who are celebrating the Paschal Triduum, and good wishes to all. AMDG.
posted by Joseph Koczera, S.J. @ 3:00 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Thank you for posting this again...I find the richness of the German text consoling. As we sat after the Passion last night, and again after the reading and homily at morning prayer this morning, I thought about the image of St. Elias, and prayed for the community there, stripped of their surety and shelter, yet still one. May your Easter dawn with grace and in splendid liturgy, no matter where!
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