J.S. Bach BWV 18 (Complete Cantata) - Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel Falt

BWV 18 is above all concerned with the role of the Word; the emphasis is on the metaphorical seed that accompanies the falling rains, the seed of the Bible. The whole text is an extended exercise in metaphysical analogy based on key words: Falling: Not only does the rain and snow fall, (“fällt“), but the finale Chorale is associated with the fall of man (“Durch Adams’ Fall ist ganz verderbt“) On this dual reading the plunging ostinato bass “ground“ in the Sinfonia can be heard both as the falling of the elements but also, as in the famous pedal line of BWV 637 in the Orgelbüchlein, depicting the Fall of Man. Returning: The Litany is the pleasing response to God by Man, (BWV 18/3 (Mvt. 3)): “O Lord, help! O Lord let it succeed well“. Ground: The physical seeds are to fall “as if on good ground“; (BWV 18/3 (Mvt. 3)); the final Chorale talks of the Heart’s ground (BWV 18/5, “Herzensgrund“).