Friday, December 26, 2014

A slide by slide explanation of the clues to Christmas Mystery 2014

Here is a slide by slide explanation of all the clues leading to Titus 2:11 as the answer.  Again, the first movement of Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, BWV 63, provides the background music.

Slide 1: Christmas Mystery 2014

Slide 2: My reflection in a Christmas tree ornament, taken at French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick, Indiana.

Slide 3: The music begins with the punchy opening ritornello theme of this Christmas Day cantata. I decided to reach deeper into the cantata for the idea behind this photo:  in the fourth movement, a recitative, the tenor sings, "The lion [Jesus] from the stock of David has appeared, his bow is stretched, his sword is already sharpened...."  So this photo was a kind of confirmatory clue to a piece of the text of BWV 63.  It was also a literal pointer to the rest of the video clues, and a kind of surprise photo consistent with the punchy opening of the cantata.

Slide 4: This photo carries an abundance of clues pointing to the answer.  I am standing in the Titus Bakery in Lebanon, Indiana. It is one of the few places named "Titus" in  Indiana.  (Many thanks to Terry Rake, co-owner, with her husband Tom, of Titus Bakery, for allowing me to take some photographs at the bakery in Lebanon for the Christmas Mystery.)  I am seen reading a German Bible, with the pages of the Bible clearly open to a point well into the New Testament.  To my left are two elves (Elf on the Shelf.)  This was an intentional play on the German "zwei elf" or in English "two eleven," pointing to the chapter and verse in Titus. Also, sitting on the table is the CD cover of the first CD in the complete box set of CDs of the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage led by Sir John Eliot Gardiner. The first cantata on that first CD is in fact, BWV 63.  A CD of this cantata is one of the prizes for solving the mystery.

Slide 5: Here is the other prize for solving the mystery:  a mid-century modern bent glass dish with three reindeer.  Six Hershey kisses can be seen above it.  The six kisses with the three reindeer was a cryptic clue to the "63" of BWV 63.

Slide 6:  I am sitting outside of Titus Bakery, again with the German Bible opened to Titus 2:11 and the two elves, but now just a bit of the "Titus Bakery" sign can be seen.

Slides 7 - 11:  The music now transitions to the choral episode, "Christen, ätzet diesen Tag In Metall und Marmorsteine!" -- Christians mark/etch/engrave/carve this day in metal and marble!  I chose to photograph at various angles the "Christmas" portion of the metal sign marking the entrance to "Christmas Lake Village" a gated community in Santa Claus, Indiana, to reflect the words of the cantata.  (Most of the DVDs I initially sent out had the word "Christmas" from the sign outside the Santa Claus Christmas Store in Santa Claus, Indiana, as slide 9.)

Slide 12:  The music returns to the orchestra's ritornello theme which began the cantata.  Here I'm seen with my "MIT" sock hat on, with one hand covering the "M" of "MIT" in a kind of "duh!" gesture. After I got back from the Titus Bakery in Lebanon, Indiana, I realized I had forgotten to take a photo of myself eating some of the baked goods there.  So this gave me the opportunity to pick up one of the signature items I bought at the bakery, a pershing, and play "duh!" with my "MIT" hat to reveal an "I" and "T" from the word "Titus." Also, if you play the DVD on a computer, you can see the word "Titus" on the edge of the top of the box holding the pastries.

Slide 13: This is a photo of "Jug Rock" located in Martin County, Indiana in the city of Shoals. This is an example of a "tea table" formation, and so was the next "t" in the word "Titus."  (A tea table is also considered a type of hoodoo.)

Slide 14:  Once again the bent glass dish featuring the three reindeer is shown, except that the six Hershey kisses have been rearranged compared to the earlier photograph.  This was meant to draw attention, along with a later photo, to the fact there were six kisses, which along with the three reindeer, again point to BWV 63.

Slide 15: As this ritornello theme ends, we see a photograph of the two elves looking up at the letters "us" on the sign marking the entrance to the Santa Claus Museum and Village in Santa Claus,  Indiana.  This completes the spelling of "Titus."

Slides 16 - 20:  The music now advances to the very center of the movement, the choral episode,
                       "Kommt und eilt mit mir zur Krippen
                         Und erweist mit frohen Lippen
                         Euren Dank und eure Pflicht;
                         Denn der Strahl, so da einbricht,
                         Zeigt sich euch zum Gnadenscheine."
or
                       "Come and hurry with me to the manger
                        and show with happy lips
                        your thanks and your duty;
                        for the ray, that breaks forth there,
                        reveals itself to you as the  light of grace."
I am literally "hurrying" to the manger at the outdoor retreat center, St. Joseph's Holy Family, Inc. in Perry County, Indiana, near Bristow.  I am following a well-marked trail which tells the story of the Nativity of our Lord, leading to the Nativity Cave.  As with slides 7-11, these slides reflect the words of the cantata. 

Slide 17:  The orchestral ritornello theme resounds once again and we see the soon to be identified St. Paul's Santa Claus Church in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Slide 18:  The plaque clearly identifies the church in the previous slide.  This clue was intended to point the viewer to the writings of St. Paul (as opposed to St. Luke, or any other author)  as the source for the chosen Bible verse. 

Slide 19: The bent glass dish is shown with the six Hershey kisses rearranged once again. 

Slide 20: Next we see the word "DANCE" photographed in Evansville, Indiana.  The phrase "come, you Christians, come to dance" appears in the aria, an alto-tenor duet, of the fifth movement of BWV 63.  Also, John Eliot Gardiner has noted the quality of "dance" that Bach brings to this and other cantatas. 

Slide 21:  Satan figures prominently in this Christmas Day Cantata, as he does in numerous other Bach cantatas.  In the alto aria of Movement Two we hear, "and seeks from the imprisonment and slave chains of Satan to rescue Israel."  In the concluding movement, a majestic chorus brings the cantata to a finale with these words: "but never let it happen that Satan  may torment us."  Naturally I turned to the Pluto Spring at the French Lick Springs Hotel in French Lick, Indiana and donned a devil mask to be photographed with the two elves. The previously marketed Pluto Water from the springs always used an image of a devil as part of its logo. 

Slides 22-26: These slides correspond with the second choral episode of "Christen, ätzet diesen Tag In Metall und Marmorsteine!" -- Christians mark/etch/engrave/carve this day in metal and marble!  See the notes for Slides 7-11.

Slide 27: The music transitions to the final statement of the ritornello theme. The tea table formation is shown once again, implying letter "T."  See the notes for Slide 13.

Slide 28:  In Ferdinand, Indiana I am seated at the new McDonald's, decorated in mid-century modern style, with the Bible open once again to Titus 2:11, joined by the two elves, with the letters "IU" [Indiana University] seen just behind, filling in the two vowels for Titus in this section of slides.  Ferdinand, Indiana is well known for its Christkindlmarkt.

Slide 29:  The tea table formation is shown standing for letter "T."  See notes for Slide 13.

Slide 30:  The Santa Claus Statue in Santa Claus, Indiana stands for "S" thus completing the spelling of "Titus." as the cantata's first movement nears its conclusion.

Slide 31: The cantata comes to a close with a photo of "Merry Christmas" on a decorated sleigh at French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick, Indiana.

Slide 32:  Acknowledgements slide.  The final acknowledgement is to Terry Rake of Titus Bakery in Lebanon, Indiana.




Titus 2:11 in the original Greek and in various translations


Original Greek text:
epefanh gar h cariV tou qeou swthrioV pasin anqrwpoiV

Latin Vulgate:
apparuit enim gratia Dei salutaris omnibus hominibus

Luther Bibel (1545):
Denn es ist erschienen die heilsame Gnade Gottes allen Menschen

King James Version:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Revised Standard Version:
For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men,

New International Version:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Original Greek text with literal translation:
epefanh gar h cariV tou qeou swthrioV pasin anqrwpoiV
has appeared  indeed the grace                   of God   bringing salvation    to all            men




The Structure of the First Movement of Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, BWV 63

The particular musical structure of the first movement of Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, BWV 63, dictated how the photos were arranged in the DVD.

The musical layout of the first movement, an opening chorus for the cantata, can be displayed with these letters:  ABACABA.  This is known as a ritornello form (ritornello: Italian "little return"), where the ritornello (refrain), denoted by the "A" in the letter scheme, is returned to again three times in the movement.  The intervening letters, two "Bs" and a "C", are denoted as (choral) episodes.  In fact, the ritornello form in this movement is a palindrome, so we could call it a palindromic ritornello form.

Shown in another way:

A orchestral ritornello
B choral episode
A orchestral ritornello
C choral episode
A orchestral ritornello
B choral episode
A orchestral ritornello

The "B" choral episodes can be translated as: "Christians, carve this day in metal  and marble," while the longer "C" choral episode may be translated, "Hasten to the crib and show your gratitude and duty, for there you may see the light of dawn revealed as the radiance of grace."  (See Mincham for this translation and excellent further notes.)


Shown in yet another way:

A orchestral ritornello
B choral episode:       "Christians, carve this day in metal and marble."
A orchestral ritornello
C choral episode:       "Hasten to the crib and show your gratitude and duty,
                                    for there you may see the light of dawn
                                    revealed as the radiance of grace."
A orchestral ritornello
B choral episode:       "Christians, carve this day in metal and marble."
A orchestral ritornello


Shown in a less musically formal way:

A punchy orchestral refrain
B punchy choral refrain:      "Christians, carve this day in metal and marble."
A punchy orchestral refrain
C reflective choral episode:  "Hasten to the crib and show your gratitude and duty,
                                               for there you may see the light of dawn
                                               revealed as the radiance of grace."
A punchy orchestral refrain
B punchy choral refrain:      "Christians, carve this day in metal and marble."
A punchy orchestral refrain


Thursday, December 25, 2014

A translation of Bach's Cantata, BWV 63, for the First Day of Christmas


1
Chorus [S, A, T, B]
Tromba I-IV, Timpani, Oboe I-III, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
Christen, ätzet diesen Tag
Christians, engrave this day
In Metall und Marmorsteine!
in metal and marble stone !
Kommt und eilt mit mir zur Krippen
Come and hurry with me to the manger
Und erweist mit frohen Lippen
and prove with happy lips 
Euren Dank und eure Pflicht;
your thanks and your duty;
Denn der Strahl, so da einbricht,
for the ray that there breaks in
Zeigt sich euch zum Gnadenscheine.
is shown to you as the light of grace.
2
Recitative [Alto]
Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
O selger Tag! o ungemeines Heute,
Oh blessed day! Oh extraordinary today'
An dem das Heil der Welt,
on which the saviour of the world,
Der Schilo, den Gott schon im Paradies
the Schilo [Messiah], whom God already in paradise
Dem menschlichen Geschlecht verhieß,
promised to the human race,
Nunmehro sich vollkommen dargestellt
now reveals himself fully
Und suchet Israel von der Gefangenschaft und Sklavenketten
and seeks from the imprisonment and slave chains
Des Satans zu erretten.
of Satan to rescue Israel.
Du liebster Gott, was sind wir arme doch?
Dear God, what are we then in our wretchedness?
Ein abgefallnes Volk, so dich verlassen;
A fallen people, who forsake you;
Und dennoch willst du uns nicht hassen;
and nevertheless you do not choose to hate us;
Denn eh wir sollen noch nach dem Verdienst zu Boden liegen,
for before we should lie on the earth according to our deserts,
Eh muß die Gottheit sich bequemen,
before that the deity must condescend
Die menschliche Natur an sich zu nehmen
to take human nature upon himself
Und auf der Erden
and on the earth
Im Hirtenstall zu einem Kinde werden.
in the shepherds' stall to become a child.
O unbegreifliches, doch seliges Verfügen!
Oh incomprehensible but blessed decree!
3
Aria (Duetto) [Soprano, Bass]
Oboe solo, Continuo
Gott, du hast es wohl gefüget,
God, you have well ordained
Was uns itzo widerfährt.
what now happens to us.
Drum laßt uns auf ihn stets trauen
Therefore let us always trust in him
Und auf seine Gnade bauen,
and build on his grace,
Denn er hat uns dies beschert,
for he has bestowed on us
Was uns ewig nun vergnüget.
what delights us now and for ever.
4
Recitative [Tenor]
Continuo
So kehret sich nun heut
In this way now today is transformed
Das bange Leid,
the anxious suffering
Mit welchem Israel geängstet und beladen,
with which Israel was distresed and burdened
In lauter Heil und Gnaden.
into pure salvation and grace.
Der Löw aus Davids Stamme ist erschienen,
The lion from the stock of David has appeared,
Sein Bogen ist gespannt, das Schwert ist schon gewetzt,
his bow is stretched, his sword is already sharpened,
Womit er uns in vor'ge Freiheit setzt.
with which he places us in our former freedom.
5
Aria (Duetto) [Alto, Tenor]
Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
Ruft und fleht den Himmel an,
Call and implore heaven,
Kommt, ihr Christen, kommt zum Reihen,
come, you Christians, come into the ranks,
Ihr sollt euch ob dem erfreuen,
you should rejoice on account of that
Was Gott hat anheut getan!
which God has done today!
Da uns seine Huld verpfleget
since his graciousness maintains us
Und mit so viel Heil beleget,
and endows us with such great salvation
Daß man nicht g'nug danken kann.
that sufficient thanks cannot be given.
6
Recitative [Bass]
Oboe I-III, Violino I/II, Viola, Fagotto, Continuo
Verdoppelt euch demnach, ihr heißen Andachtsflammen,
For this reason be redoubled, you hot flames of devotion,
Und schlagt in Demut brünstiglich zusammen!
and strike in humility ardently together!
Steigt fröhlich himmelan
Mount joyfully to heaven
Und danket Gott vor dies, was er getan!
and thank God for what he has done!
7
Chorus [S, A, T, B]
Tromba I-IV, Timpani, Oboe I-III, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
Höchster, schau in Gnaden an
Highest, look with grace on
Diese Glut gebückter Seelen!
this ardour of souls who bow [in worship].
Laß den Dank, den wir dir bringen,
Let the thanks, which we bring you,
Angenehme vor dir klingen,
resound pleasingly before you,
Laß uns stets in Segen gehn,
Let us always go with your blessing
Aber niemals nicht geschehn,
but never let it happen
Daß uns der Satan möge quälen.
that Satan may torment us.
--

A translation of Bach's Cantata, BWV 63, for the First Day of Christmas


Cantata for the First Day of Christmas
1. Chor
Christen, ätzet diesen Tag
In Metall und Marmorsteine!
  Kommt und eilt mit mir zur Krippen
  Und erweist mit frohen Lippen
  Euren Dank und eure Pflicht;
  Denn der Strahl, so da einbricht,
  Zeigt sich euch zum Gnadenscheine.
1. Chorus
Christians, etch this day
in metal and marble!
  Come and hurry with me to the manger
  and show with happy lips
  your thanks and your duty;
  for the ray, that breaks forth there,
  reveals itself to you as the light of grace.
2. Rezitativ A
O selger Tag! o ungemeines Heute,
An dem das Heil der Welt,
Der Schilo, den Gott schon im Paradies
Dem menschlichen Geschlecht verhieß,
Nunmehro sich vollkommen dargestellt
Und suchet Israel von der Gefangenschaft und Sklavenketten
Des Satans zu erretten.
Du liebster Gott, was sind wir arme doch?
Ein abgefallnes Volk, so dich verlassen;
Und dennoch willst du uns nicht hassen;
Denn eh wir sollen noch nach dem Verdienst zu Boden
liegen,
Eh muß die Gottheit sich bequemen,
Die menschliche Natur an sich zu nehmen
Und auf der Erden
Im Hirtenstall zu einem Kinde werden.
O unbegreifliches, doch seliges Verfügen!
2. Recitative A
O blessed day! O extraordinary now,
in which the salvation of the world,
the Shiloh, whom God already in Paradise
had promised to the human race,
from now on is manifest completely
and seeks to rescue Israel from the enprisonment and servitude
of Satan.
O dearest God, but what wretched creatures are we?
A fallen people, who have abandoned You;
and yet You will not hate us;
for sooner than we should according to our merit lie
prostrate,
so Divinity must require itself
to take on human nature
and upon the earth
in a shepherd's barn to become a child.
O unfathomable, yet blessed outcome!
3. Arie (Duett) S B
Gott, du hast es wohl gefüget,
Was uns itzo widerfährt.
  Drum laßt uns auf ihn stets trauen
  Und auf seine Gnade bauen,
  Denn er hat uns dies beschert,
  Was uns ewig nun vergnüget.
3. Aria (Duet) S B
God, you have well accomplished,
what now has happened to us.
  Therefore let us always trust in Him
  and rely upon His grace,
  for He has bestowed this upon us,
  which now will delight us for ever.
4. Rezitativ T
So kehret sich nun heut
Das bange Leid,
Mit welchem Israel geängstet und beladen,
In lauter Heil und Gnaden.
Der Löw aus Davids Stamme ist erschienen,
Sein Bogen ist gespannt, das Schwert ist schon gewetzt,
Womit er uns in vor'ge Freiheit setzt.
4. Recitative T
So now, today, the anxious sorrow
is changed,
with which Israel was frightened and burdened,
into pure blessing and grace.
The lion from David's branch has appeared,
His rainbow has arched, the sword is already honed,
which with He places us in the future freedom.
5. Arie (Duett) A T
Ruft und fleht den Himmel an,
Kommt, ihr Christen, kommt zum Reihen,
Ihr sollt euch ob dem erfreuen,
Was Gott hat anheut getan!
  Da uns seine Huld verpfleget
  Und mit so viel Heil beleget,
  Daß man nicht g'nug danken kann.
5. Aria (Duet) A T
Call and pray to heaven,
come, you Christians, come to dance,
you should rejoice over this
which God has done today!
  For His mercy nourishes us
  and enriches us with so much goodness,
  that one cannot be thankful enough.
6. Rezitativ B
Verdoppelt euch demnach, ihr heißen
Andachtsflammen,
Und schlagt in Demut brünstiglich zusammen!
Steigt fröhlich himmelan
Und danket Gott vor dies, was er getan!
6. Recitative B
Redouble yourselves now, you burning flames of devotion,
and strike together fervently in humility!
Climb joyfully heavenwards
and thank God for this, that He has done!
7. Chor
Höchster, schau in Gnaden an
Diese Glut gebückter Seelen!
  Laß den Dank, den wir dir bringen,
  Angenehme vor dir klingen,
  Laß uns stets in Segen gehn,
  Aber niemals nicht geschehn,
  Daß uns der Satan möge quälen.
7. Chorus
Highest, behold with grace
this fervor of reverent souls!
  Let the thanks that we bring You,
  sound pleasing before You,
  let us always walk in blessing,
  but never let it happen
  that Satan might disturb us.
Possibly Johann Michael Heineccius 1718

Copyright by Pamela Dellal

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

A quick approach to solving Christmas Mystery 2014: Titus 2:11

A more detailed discussion of all the clues will be provided in an upcoming posting, but here is a quick approach to solving the puzzle.

If one identifies the music in the DVD as the first movement of Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, Christen, ätzet diesen Tag [Christians engrave  this day], BWV 63, then an examination of the Bible readings used as background for the cantata would reveal: Titus 2:11-14, Isaiah 9:2-7, and Luke 2:1-14.

In two photographs I can be seen reading the New Testament of the German Bible, so this leaves Titus 2:11-14, or Luke 2:1-14.  Also, the elves provide a very important clue, namely "zwei elf" in German is "two eleven," and so the particular chapter and verse is 2:11.

Now is the book Titus or is it Luke?  One photograph shows St. Paul's Santa Claus Church in Santa Claus, Indiana, and this is followed by a photo of a plaque that clearly identifies it as such. This points to Titus 2:11 as the correct answer.  Further, other clues literally spell out the word "Titus."  These will be explained in an upcoming posting.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, BWV 63

The first movement of Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, BWV 63, was the music featured in Christmas Mystery 2014.

Christmas 2014 marks the 300th anniversary of the first performance of BWV 63, which took place in Weimar.

A beautiful rendition of BWV (Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis [Bach Works Catalogue]) 63 is linked here, and is sung by the Thomanerchor (St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig), a boys choir.  Bach served as director of the choir from 1723 to 1750.  The orchestration is quite stunning.

Another forceful performance of BWV 63 can be heard in this 1972 recording done in Munich under the direction of Karl Richter.  Again the orchestration is striking, especially the (brief) use of the organ in the last movement.

For a majestic and bit slower interpretation, this recent recording by the Collegium Vocale of Ghent Belgium is a nearly flawless performance.

Finally, this hour long video features Sir John Eliot Gardiner rehearsing BWV 63 in London, and providing commentary.  


Titus 2:11

The answer to Christmas Mystery 2014 is:  Titus 2:11 (or in German: Titus zwei: elf).

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men."  Titus 2:11.

Congratulations to Sharon, wife of cousin Daryl Helfert, for solving this year's Christmas Mystery.

An explanation of all the clues will be posted in due course.


Christmas Mystery 2014

                                                                First Sunday of Advent, 2014

On Christmas Eve 2013 I received a box whose contents I very quickly decided should form the basis of this year's Christmas Mystery.  The box contained a complete set of live recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach's cantatas, performed during the 1999 - 2000 Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, under the direction of musician and farmer Sir John Eliot Gardiner. 

For nearly a year these recordings have been background music while driving around Evansville, or working at home, and have accompanied me on numerous trips across Indiana, as well as travels back and forth to St. Louis, from one end of southern California to the other, and even while touring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.  I now understand why Bach is considered the greatest composer who ever lived. 

The cantata was the "musical sermon before the sermon," in the German Lutheran church service of Bach's day, three hundred years ago.  Bach would find words consistent with the Bible readings for the given Sunday or Feast Day, then compose music for a choir, accompanied by a modest ensemble of instruments.

The Christmas Mystery 2014 DVD uses a movement, sung in German, from one of Bach's 200 church cantatas.  A series of photographs, all of which were taken in Indiana, accompany the music.  The answer to this year's Christmas Mystery is a Bible verse capturing the meaning of Christmas.  The photographs on the DVD contain an abundance of clues pointing to the featured cantata and chosen Bible verse. The correct answer is simply "Book of the Bible, chapter number: verse number." Only two guesses allowed.  

The first person to submit the correct answer to gkissel@msn.com by Christmas Eve will receive a CD with the recording of the complete cantata whose first movement was used in the DVD, and a mid-century modern bent glass dish featuring three reindeer.  The solution and explanation of all the clues will be posted at www.christmas-mystery.blogspot.com on Christmas Eve.

Bach signed his church cantatas with the letters SDG , standing for Soli Deo gloria, "To God alone the Glory." It is in that spirit that I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
                                                            Glen


Acknowledgements:   The use of the music on the enclosed DVD was made possible by kind permission of Soli Deo Gloria, Monteverdi Productions, Ltd., London, England.