Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226
Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf | |
---|---|
Motet by J. S. Bach | |
Key | B-flat major |
Occasion | Funeral of Johann Heinrich Ernesti |
Bible text | Romans 8:26–27 |
Chorale | Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott |
Performed | 21 October 1729 Paulinerkirche, Leipzig : |
Movements | 3 |
Vocal | 2 choirs SATB |
Instrumental | strings with choir I, woodwinds with choir II, continuo |
Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (The Spirit gives aid to our weakness), BWV 226, is a
History
For Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf , the
Bach wrote a number of works for occasions of Leipzig University. Twelve such works survive: they are mainly festive in character (in German they have been categorised as Festmusiken zu Leipziger Universitätsfeiern).[2] As well as being part of a series of works connected with the university, Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf as a funeral motet is one of a series of Bach motets.
Text
The text is taken from the Epistle to the Romans (Romans 8:26–27) and Martin Luther's third stanza to the hymn "Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott" (1524).[3] Ernesti himself had chosen the text from the epistle for the funeral sermon.[4]
Scoring and structure
The motet is structured in three movements and scored for two four-part choirs. They sing together in movements 2 and 3. The orchestral parts are extant, indicating that choir I was doubled by strings, choir II by reeds (two oboes, taille and bassoon). For the basso continuo, separate violone and organ parts are provided.[5]
- Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf
- Der aber die Herzen forschet
- Du heilige Brunst, süßer Trost
Music
Bach composed the text according to its meaning, not as music for mourning.
References
- ^ Petzoldt, Martin (2009). Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf BWV 226, in "Booklet for the Anniversary Edition Leipziger Universitätsmusik, Johann Sebastian Bach: Festmusiken zu Leipziger Universitätsfeiern. (in German). pp. 8f.
- ^ Timm, David (2009). "Festmusiken zu Leipziger Universitätsfeiern" (in German). Leipziger Universitätschor. pp. 8f. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ^ "Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott / Text and Translation of Chorale". bach-cantatas.com. 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ a b Klek, Konrad (29 April 2012). Von Schwachheit keine Spur / Serie Musica Sacra (60): Motette "Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf" von Johann Sebastian Bach (in German). Sonntagsblatt Bayern. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ a b c Traupman-Carr, Carol (2009). Motet BWV 226 "Der Geist hilft" (in German). bach.org. pp. 8f. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ a b Arnold, Jochen (9 September 2012). Der Geist hilft unserer Schwachheit auf (BWV 226) (in German). Landeskirche Hannover. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott". bach-cantatas.com. 2006. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
Sources
- Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Motets BWV 225-231 history, scoring, sources for text and music, translations to various languages, discography, discussion, bach-cantatas website
- Bach Motet Translations / BWV 226 - "Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf" English translation, discussion, Emmanuel Music
- Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf history, scoring, Bach website (in German)
- BWV 226 Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf English translation, University of Vermont
Further reading
- ISBN 3-7618-1499-2.
External links
- Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf, BWV 226: performance by the Netherlands Bach Society (video and background information)
- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) / Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf klassika.info (in German)
- Free MP3 recording of Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf – BWV 226 from Umeå Akademiska Kör