Concert Notes

Christ lag in Todes Banden (Cantata No. 4, BWV 4) is one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s earliest surviving sacred cantatas, probably composed around 1707–1708 for Easter Sunday. It is unlike many of his later cantatas because every movement is based on Martin Luther’s Easter hymn Christ lag in Todes Banden (“Christ Lay in Death’s Bonds”), itself derived from an older medieval chant. The work lasts about 20 minutes and unfolds as a profound meditation on Christ’s death and resurrection.

Description of the piece

Musically, this cantata is extraordinary because it traces a journey from darkness to radiant light.

• It opens with a solemn instrumental Sinfonia, full of sighing phrases and descending lines that evoke the stillness of Christ in the tomb.
• Each subsequent movement takes one verse of Luther’s hymn, exploring it in a different musical form—choruses, duets, and solo arias.
• The emotional centre is the fifth movement, “Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg” (“It was a wondrous battle”), where Bach vividly depicts the struggle between Life (Christ) and Death. The voices almost seem to wrestle with one another until Life triumphs.
• From that point the music gradually becomes brighter and more joyful, culminating in a simple but magnificent four-part chorale celebrating Easter victory.

What makes this cantata especially moving is the contrast between its austere, almost medieval musical language and the flashes of youthful brilliance that already reveal the mature Bach. It feels less like a sequence of separate pieces and more like a single unfolding meditation.

If you’re listening to this cantata, I’d especially encourage paying attention to the central chorus, “Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg.” Even without understanding German, you can hear Bach painting the cosmic battle between death and life in sound. By the final chorale, the tension has completely dissolved into serene confidence—a musical journey from Good Friday to Easter morning.

An English translation of the text

1. Opening Chorus

Christ lay in death’s bonds,
Given over for our sins.
He has risen again
And has brought us life.
Therefore let us rejoice,
Praise God and give Him thanks,
And sing: Alleluia!

2. Duet

No one among all humanity
Could conquer death.
Our sin caused it all;
No innocence could be found.
Therefore death came swiftly
And gained power over us,
Holding us captive in its kingdom.
Alleluia!

3. Tenor Aria

Jesus Christ, God’s Son,
Came in our place
And took away our sin.
Thus He robbed death
Of all its rights and power.
Only death’s outward form remains;
Its sting has been taken away.
Alleluia!

4. Chorus

It was a wondrous battle
When Death and Life contended.
Life won the victory
And swallowed up Death.
Scripture has proclaimed
How one death devoured the other,
And Death became a mockery.
Alleluia!

5. Bass Aria

Here is the true Paschal Lamb,
Which God has appointed.
Upon the cross
It was roasted in burning love.
Its blood marks our door,
Faith holds it before death.
The destroyer can no longer harm us.
Alleluia!

6. Duet

Therefore let us celebrate
This great Easter feast
With heartfelt joy.
The Lord Himself is our sun,
Who by the brightness of His grace
Has illumined our hearts.
The night of sin has vanished.
Alleluia!

7. Closing Chorale

We feast and live well
On Christ, the true Easter Bread.
The old leaven of sin
Shall no longer remain.
Christ alone nourishes the soul;
Faith lives on Him alone.
Alleluia!

 

Vivaldi Gloria RV 589

The Gloria is a well-known song that has long been integrated into the Mass of the Catholic Church. Many other Christian churches have adopted versions of it as well and it is a popular song for Christmas, Easter, and other special church services throughout the world.

The Gloria is a beautiful hymn with a long and rich history. Written in Latin, many people are familiar with the opening line, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo,” but there is much more to it than that.

The Gloria dates back to a 2nd-century Greek text. It also appeared in the Apostolic Constitution as a “morning prayer” circa 380 AD. A Latin version appeared in the “Bangor Antiphonary” that was thought to have been written in Northern Ireland around 690. It is still significantly different than the text we use today. The text we commonly use now dates back to a Frankish source in the 9th century.

In services, the Gloria may be recited though it is most often set to a melody. It may be a capella, accompanied by an organ, or sung by a full choir. Over the centuries, the melodies have varied just as much as the words themselves. During medieval times, it is believed that over 200 variations existed.

In church liturgy today, the Gloria is sung in a variety of ways and incorporated into a number of congregational masses, including The Galloway Mass. Some churches prefer a style that it is more of a chant which may be sung in response between a leader and the choir or congregation. It is also common for the congregation to repeat only the opening line while the choir sings other portions of the hymn.

The Gloria has been so integrated into religious services that it has inspired and been incorporated into a number of famous composer’s works. One of the best-known is the “Mass in B Minor,” written in 1724 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). This orchestral work is considered one of the greatest songs and is the subject of many studies in musical history.

Another famous work was written by Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741). Quite simply known as “The Vivaldi Gloria,” the best known of the composer’s renditions is “The Gloria RV 589 in D Major,” which was written sometime around 1715.

 

 

Latin	English
Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax	Glory in the highest to God. And on earth peace
hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te.	to men of good will. We praise thee. We bless thee.
Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi	We worship thee. We glorify Thee. Thanks we give to thee
propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis,	because of great glory thy. Lord God, King of heaven,
Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe.	God Father Almighty. Lord Son only begotten, Jesus Christ.
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.	Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of Father.
Qui tollis peccata Mundi, miserere nobis.	Who take away sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Qui tollis peccata Mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.	Who take away sins of the world, receive supplication our.
Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.	Who sits at the right hand of Father, have mercy on us.
Quoniam tu solus sanctus. Tu solus Dominus.	For thou alone holy. Thou alone Lord.
Tu solus altisimus, Jesu Christe.	Thou alone most high, Jesus Christ.
Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.	With Holy Spirit in the glory of God Father. Amen.