In the course of the concerts associated with these recordings (made in the mid to late 1990s), Helmut Rilling presented, in German, a series of lectures analyzing the cantatas.   Haenssler recorded these lectures, complete with musical examples, and included them in the CD set.   The following text is an English paraphrase of his presentation for Cantata 67.   It's reprinted for WKSU listeners by kind permission of the publisher.

On the Sunday after Easter, Bach recalls the holiday and begins his cantata in a festive mood, scoring it for a large ensemble.  The basic idea of the words and music is therefore the Resurrection of Christ.  

The main musical theme in No. 1, chorus, consists of a long-held note, sung first by the soprano and then the bass, which stands for "Im Gedächtnis Bewahren " ("keeping in memory"), followed by an ascending chord.  Even the instruments move from low to high range.  The message of Christ, "der auferstanden ist" ("Who is risen"), is likewise found in an ascending vocal passage.   Having all this happen at the same time intensifies the musical ideas.  At the end, the theme appears once again in the trumpet, rather as the crowning achievement and apogee of the architecture.

No. 2, aria for tenor, starts out with a tempestuous ascent, then the motif begins to falter.  The explanation is supplied by the words, "Mein Jesus ist erstanden - allein, was schreckt mich noch" ("My Jesus is arisen - what then should terrify me").  Hence this is a depiction of both the Resurrection and fright.  The Gospel for the day tells the story of Thomas, who does not want to believe in the Resurrection.  Thomas, Bach would seem to imply, is a child of his times, the present, who always sets himself in opposition to the certainty of Easter.  

No. 3, recitative, is also marked by restless doubt, while the alto sings of "Todes Gift" ("death’s poison") and "Pestilenz der Hölle" ("pestilence of Hell") - then the chorale (No. 4) provides contrast in the form of a sign of hope.

No. 5, recitative; No. 6, aria: here Bach writes unusually excited music.   Broken chords in passages that shoot up masterfully begin in the orchestra.  The bass, the vox Christi, sings a soothing "Friede sei mit euch" ("peace be with you") to the pastoral sound of the woodwinds.  Christ appears to Doubting Thomas, while the Disciples ask Jesus to help them in their fight against the wrath of their enemies, which is just what the excited music was all about.

Four times Bach seeks out this contrast.  At the end of the movement, the wind and string instruments join in peaceful togetherness, since the Disciples now believe their Lord, the Prince of Peace, whose Credo the congregation sings as a conclusion in No. 7, chorale.

Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ,
der auferstanden ist von den Toten.

2. Aria

Mein Jesus ist erstanden!
Allein, was schreckt mich noch?
Mein Glaube kennt des Heilands Sieg,
Doch fühlt mein Herze Streit und Krieg,
Mein Heil, erscheine doch!

3. Recitativo

Mein Jesu, heißest du des Todes Gift
Und eine Pestilenz der Hölle,
Ach, daß mich noch Gefahr
und Schrecken trifft?
Du legtest selbst auf unsre Zungen
Ein Loblied, welches wir gesungen:

4. Choral

Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag,
Dran sich niemand gnug freuen mag:
Christ, unser Herr, heut triumphiert,
All sein Feind er gefangen führt.
Alleluja!

5. Recitativo

Doch scheinet fast,
Daß mich der Feinde Rest,
Den ich zu groß und allzu schrecklich finde,
Nicht ruhig bleiben läßt.
Doch, wenn du mir den Sieg erworben hast,
So streite selbst mit mir, mit deinem Kinde:
Ja, ja, wir spüren schon im Glauben,
Daß du, o Friedefürst,
Dein Wort und Werk an uns erfüllen wirst.

6. Aria

Friede sei mit euch!
Wohl uns! Jesus hilft uns kämpfen
Und die Wut der Feinde dämpfen,
Hölle, Satan, weich!
Friede sei mit euch!
Jesus holet uns zum Frieden
Und erquicket in uns Müden
Geist und Leib zugleich.
Friede sei mit euch!
O! Herr, hilf und laß gelingen,
Durch den Tod hindurchzudringen
In dein Ehrenreich!
Friede sei mit euch!

7. Choral

Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ,
Wahr’ Mensch und wahrer Gott,
Ein starker Nothelfer du bist
Im Leben und im Tod:
Drum wir allein
Im Namen dein
Zu deinem Vater schreien.

Hold Jesus Christ in memory,
He who has risen from the dead.

2. Aria

My Jesus is arisen,
What then should terrify me?
My faith knows the Savior's victory,
But still my heart feels strife and war,
My salvation, appear now!

3. Recitative

My Jesus, you are called the poison of death,
And a pestilence to hell;
Oh, am I still struck
By danger and fear?
You yourself lay upon our tongues
A song of praise, which we have sung:

4. Chorale

The glorious day has appeared
About which no one can rejoice enough:
Christ our Lord triumphs today
He leads all of his enemies as captives.
Alleluia!

5. Recitative

But it almost seems
That the remainder of my enemies
That I find too powerful and all too frightening,
Will not let me rest.
But if you have purchased the victory for me,
Then fight with me, your child, yourself:
Yes, yes, we already sense in the faith
That you, oh prince of peace,
Will fulfill in us your word and work.

6. Aria

Peace be with you!
What a boon to us! Jesus helps us fight
And absorb the rage of the enemies,
Hell, Satan, give way!
Peace be with you!
Jesus calls us to the peace.
And refreshes in us, the weary,
Spirit and body alike.
Peace be with you!
Oh Lord, help and let [us] succeed
To break through death
Into your glorious realm!
Peace be with you!

7. Chorale

You, prince of peace, Lord Jesus Christ,
True man and true God,
You are a powerful aid in time of need
In life and in death:
Therefore we alone
In your name
Cry out to the Father.