EIN FESTE BURG IST UNSER GOTT
In the Michaelmas term , Lower Sixth award holders and IB Music students were offered the opportunity to take part in a scratch performance of Bach ’ s cantata BWV80 , Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott ( A Mighty Fortress Is Our God )
We began the evening with a short run-through in sectionals , before coming together in the Pamoja Hall to perform . Encircling the chamber orchestra which took centre stage , we stood waiting patiently to start . The movement began with the tenors , and gradually each voice was added , building a full , rich texture , truly encapsulating the lively atmosphere created in the first movement .
Soon the hall was filled with the sound of voices : a chorale fantasia composed in counterpoint , with each voice following their own intricate line , weaving into a canonic imitation . Each part worked independently , yet together , echoed in the movement of the orchestra .
Members of the Music department sang solo parts , as well as recitative , and I was fortunate to have been presented with the opportunity to sing one of the arias , Komm in mein Hersenshaus ( Come Into My Heart ’ s House ), which despite being technically difficult , was still a great pleasure to perform . The piece definitely posed a challenge ; however , it was also greatly exciting and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to perform again , and in such a great space as the Pamoja Hall .
The chorus returned with the central chorale , Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel wär ( And If The World Were Full Of Devils ), which was sung entirely in octaves , accompanied with vigorous playing from the violins , which became increasingly more complex as the movement progressed .
The final movement of the cantata , Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn ( That Word They Must Allow To Stand ), was written primarily in homophony , drawing the evening to a close with a strong hymn-like finish .
Having spent so much time apart from ensembles over the past year , I feel incredibly grateful that the Music department were able to organise such an event and that we were able to perform finally as part of a group of wonderfully talented singers and musicians ; having been distanced for so long , it was music that brought us together .
Catherine Redmayne , Lower Sixth
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