This is one of the most ferocious movements in the entire Passion. The two choirs shout back and forth in a rapid-fire 'Turba' (crowd) effect. The disciples are furious. Bach paints the text musically. You can hear the rolling thunder in the basses and lightning strikes in the violins.
The Arrest
Sind Blitze, sind Donner
Chorus
•Chorus
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No. 29part_33
Have lightnings and thunders vanished in the clouds?
Open your fiery pit, O hell,
Wreck, ruin, engulf, shatter
With sudden rage
The false betrayer, the murderous blood!
German
English
Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden?
Eröffne den feurigen Abgrund, o Hölle,
Zertrümmre, verderbe, verschlinge, zerschelle
Mit plötzlicher Wut
Den falschen Verräter, das mördrische Blut!
Have lightnings and thunders vanished in the clouds?
Open your fiery pit, O hell,
Wreck, ruin, engulf, shatter
With sudden rage
The false betrayer, the murderous blood!
Modern adaptation
Where are the lightning and thunder? The heavens are silent, so we call upon hell. Let the earth crack open and swallow this traitor!
Did you know?
This piece is a prime example of 'Stile Concitato' (agitated style). The short, hammering notes and rapid exchanges between the choirs create an atmosphere of chaos and panic.