Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

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"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen"
German
Christmas hymn by Anonymous
First printed in the 1599 Speyer Hymnal
GenreHymn
OccasionChristmas
TextUnknown author
LanguageGerman

"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" (

Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah, which in Christian interpretation foretell the Incarnation of Christ, and to the Tree of Jesse, a traditional symbol of the lineage of Jesus. Because of its prophetic theme, the hymn is popular during the Christian season of Advent.[1]

The hymn has its roots in an unknown author before the 17th century. It first appeared in print in 1599 and has since been published with a varying number of verses and in several translations. It is most commonly sung to a melody harmonized by the German composer Michael Praetorius in 1609.[1] The hymn's popularity endures in the 20th and 21st centuries.[2]

Meaning

St. Lambrecht's Abbey
)

The hymn was originally written with two verses that describe the fulfilment of the prophecy of

King David.[3] The image was especially popular in medieval times, and it features in many works of religious art from the period. It has its origin in the Book of Isaiah:[1]

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

— Isaiah 11:1

The second verse of the hymn, written in the first person, then explains to the listener the meaning of this symbolism: That Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the rose that has sprung up to bring forth the Christ child, represented as a small flower ("das Blümlein"). The German text affirms that Mary is a "pure maiden" ("die reine Magd"), emphasizing the doctrine of the Virgin birth of Jesus.[citation needed] In Theodore Baker's 1894 English translation, on the other hand, the second verse indicates that the rose symbolizes the infant Christ.[4]

Since the 19th century, other verses have been added, both in German and in translation.[citation needed]

History

The poetry of Isaiah's prophecy has featured in Christian hymns since at least the 8th century, when Cosmas the Melodist wrote a hymn about the Virgin Mary flowering from the Root of Jesse, "Ραβδος εκ της ριζης", translated in 1862 by John Mason Neale as "Rod of the Root of Jesse".[5][6]

The text of "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" dates from the 15th century. Its author is unknown. Its earliest source is in a manuscript from the

Mary or Jesus, respectively.[7] In addition, there have been numerous versions of the hymn, with varying texts and lengths. In 1844, the German hymnologist Friedrich Layriz [de] added three more stanzas,[8][9] the first of which, "Das Blümelein so kleine", remained popular and has been included in Catholic[10] and Protestant hymnals.[11]

The tune generally used for the hymn originally appeared in the Speyer Hymnal (printed in Cologne in 1599), and the familiar harmonization was written by German composer Michael Praetorius in 1609.[7] A canon version for four voices also exists, based on Praetorius's harmony and sometimes attributed to his contemporary, Melchior Vulpius.[12] The metre of the hymn is 76.76.676.

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Performed by the chorus of the U.S. Army Band, c. 2010
Praetorius harmonization

In 1896, Johannes Brahms used the hymn's tune as the base for a chorale prelude for organ, one of his Eleven Chorale Preludes Op. 122, later transcribed for orchestra by Erich Leinsdorf.[13][14][15]

During the

Fatherland and extolling the virtues of motherhood.[16]

The hymn's melody has been used by a number of composers, including

Stille Nacht as a contrapuntal melody.[17] In 1990, Jan Sandström wrote Es ist ein Ros entsprungen for two a cappella
choirs, which incorporates the setting of Praetorius in choir one.

English translations

Well-known versions of the hymn have been published in various English translations.

Psalter Hymnal (Christian Reformed Church in North America) and The United Methodist Hymnal (American United Methodist Church).[18][19]

The British hymn translator Catherine Winkworth translated the first two verses of the hymn as "A Spotless Rose".[20] In 1919 the British composer Herbert Howells set this text as a motet for SATB choir.[7] Howells stated that:

I sat down and wrote A Spotless Rose...after idly watching some shunting from the window of a cottage in Gloucester which overlooked the Midland Railway. In an upstairs room I looked out on iron railings and the main Bristol to Gloucester railway line, with shunting trucks bumping and banging. I wrote it and dedicated to my mother – it always moves me when I hear it, just as if it were written by someone else.[21]

Howells' carol is

suspensions is particularly celebrated.[22] Howells' contemporary, Patrick Hadley reportedly told the composer "I should like, when my time comes, to pass away with that magical cadence".[23] Winkworth's translation was again set to music in 2002 by the British composer and academic Sir Philip Ledger.[24]

A further English translation of the hymn, "Behold, a rose is growing", was written by the American Lutheran musician and writer, Harriet Reynolds Krauth Spaeth (1845–1925). Her four-verse version is often published with an additional 5th verse, translated by the American theologian John Caspar Mattes (1876–1948).[25][26]

Another Christmas hymn, "A Great and Mighty Wonder", is set to the same tune as this carol and may sometimes be confused with it. It is, however, a hymn by St. Germanus, (Μέγα καὶ παράδοξον θαῦμα), translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale in 1862. Versions of the German lyrics have been mixed with Neale's translation of a Greek hymn in subsequent versions such as Percy Dearmer's version in the 1931 Songs of Praise collection and Carols for Choirs (1961).[27]

Lyrics

German original Baker's version Winkworth's version[20] Spaeth's translation
with Mattes' 5th verse

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen,[a]
aus einer Wurzel zart,
wie uns die Alten sungen,
von Jesse kam die Art
Und hat ein Blümlein bracht
mitten im kalten Winter,
wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Lo, how a rose e'er blooming,
From tender stem hath sprung.
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
As men of old have sung;
It came, a flow'ret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

A Spotless Rose is blowing,
Sprung from a tender root,
Of ancient seers' foreshowing,
Of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter,
And in the dark midnight.

Behold, a Branch is growing
Of loveliest form and grace,
as prophets sung, foreknowing;
It springs from Jesse's race
And bears one little Flow'r
In midst of coldest winter,
At deepest midnight hour.

Das Röslein, das ich meine,[a]
davon Isaias sagt,
ist Maria die reine,
die uns das Blümlein bracht.
Aus Gottes ew'gem Rat
hat sie ein Kind geboren
und blieb ein reine Magd.
or: Welches uns selig macht.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind,
With

Mary
we behold it,
The virgin mother kind;
To show God's love aright,
She bore to men a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

The Rose which I am singing,
Whereof Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid;
Through God's great love and might
The Blessed Babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter's night.

Isaiah hath foretold it
In words of promise sure,
And Mary's arms enfold it,
A virgin meek and pure.
Thro' God's eternal will
This Child to her is given
At midnight calm and still.

The shepherds heard the story,
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory,
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in a manger found him,
As angel heralds said.

Das Blümelein, so kleine,[b]
das duftet uns so süß,
mit seinem hellen Scheine
vertreibt's die Finsternis.
Wahr Mensch und wahrer Gott,
hilft uns aus allem Leide,
rettet von Sünd und Tod.

O Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispel with glorious splendour
The darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From Sin and death now save us,
And share our every load.

This Flow'r whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness ev'rywhere.
True Man, yet very God;
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens ev'ry load.

Lob, Ehr sei Gott dem Vater,[b]
dem Sohn und heilgen Geist!
Maria, Gottesmutter,
sei hoch gebenedeit!
Der in der Krippen lag,
der wendet Gottes Zoren,
wandelt die Nacht in Tag.

O Jesu, bis zum Scheiden[b]
aus diesem Jamerthal
Laß dein Hilf uns geleiten
hin in der Engel Saal,
In deines Vaters Reich,
da wir dich ewig loben:
o Gott, uns das verleih!

O Saviour, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
O Saviour, King of Glory,
Who dost our weakness know,
Bring us at length we pray,
To the bright courts of Heaven
And to the endless day.

  1. ^ a b 1599 Speyer version,[28] in modern German
  2. ^ a b c Verses added by Friedrich Layriz [de] in 1844

Music

\header { arranger = "Setting: Michael Praetorius" tagline = ##f } \layout { indent = 0 \context { \Score \remove "Bar_number_engraver" } } global = { \key f \major \time 4/4 \partial 2 } soprano = \relative c'' { \global \set Staff.midiPanPosition = -0.5 \set midiInstrument = "violin" \repeat volta 2 { c2 | c4 c d c | c2 a | bes a4 g~ | g f2 e4 | f2 } \break r4 a | g e f d | c2 r4 c' | c c d c | c2 a | bes a4 g~ | g f2 e4 | f2 \bar "|." } alto = \relative c'' { \global \set Staff.midiPanPosition = 0.5 \set midiInstrument = "violin" \repeat volta 2 { a2 | a4 f f f | e2 d | d c2 | d4. (a8) c2 | c } r4 f | d c c b | c8 (d e4) r e | g f f f | e2 d | d f4 d | e (f g) c, | c2 \bar "|." } tenor = \relative c' { \global \set Staff.midiPanPosition = -1 \set midiInstrument = "viola" \repeat volta 2 { c2 | c4 a bes a | g2 f | f a4 c | bes (a2) g4 | a2 } r4 c | bes a a g | g2 r4 g | g a bes a | g2 fis | g c4 bes | a2 g | a2 \bar "|." } bass = \relative c { \global \set Staff.midiPanPosition = 1 \set midiInstrument = "cello" \repeat volta 2 { f2 | f4 f bes f | c2 d | bes f'4 e | d2 c | f, } r4 f' | g a f g | c,2 r4 c | e f bes, f' | c2 d | g, a4 bes | c2 c | f,2 \bar "|." } verse = \lyricmode { Es ist ein Ros ent -- sprun -- gen aus ei -- ner Wur -- zel zart, Und hat ein Blüm -- lein bracht, mit -- ten im kal -- ten Win -- ter, wohl zu der hal -- ben Nacht. } verseR = \lyricmode { Wie uns die Al -- ten sun -- gen, von Jes -- se kam die Art, } \score { \new ChoirStaff << \new Staff \with { \consists "Merge_rests_engraver" } << \new Voice = "soprano" { \voiceOne \soprano } \addlyrics { \verse } \addlyrics { \verseR } \new Voice = "alto" { \voiceTwo \alto } >> \new Staff \with { \consists "Merge_rests_engraver" } << \clef bass \new Voice = "tenor" { \voiceOne \tenor } \new Voice = "bass" { \voiceTwo \bass } >> >> \layout { } } \score { \unfoldRepeats { << \soprano \\ \alto \\ \tenor \\ \bass >> } \midi { \tempo 4=100 \context { \Score midiChannelMapping = #'instrument } \context { \Staff \remove "Staff_performer" } \context { \Voice \consists "Staff_performer" } } }

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9780739036600
    . Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  2. ^ Meyer, Robinson (25 December 2015). "'Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming' Is a Musician's Christmas Carol". The Atlantic.
  3. ISBN 9780199997145
    . Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  4. ^
    ISBN 9780802498854
    – via Google Books.
  5. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.693.1215
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 9780898693744
    . Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  7. ^ a b c "Lo How A Rose Eer Blooming – Notes". hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  8. ISBN 978-3-525-50323-2
    . Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  9. ^ Publishing, Alojado. "Lied Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen". lieder-archiv.de (in German). Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Gotteslob Online". gotteslob.katholisch.de. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  11. Swiss Reformed Church
    hymnal), no. 399
  12. ^ "Stile Antico" (PDF). The Friends of Chamber Music. the friends of chamber music endowment early music series. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  13. ^ 11 Chorale Preludes, Op. 122 (Brahms): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  14. ISBN 9780195311075
    . Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  15. ^ Bloom, Julius (1946). The Year in American Music: 1946–1947. Allen, Towne & Heath. p. 497. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  16. ^ Schwind, Elisabeth (23 December 2016). "Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund". Südkurier (in German). Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  17. ISBN 9780198038405
    . Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  18. ^ "Psalter Hymnal (Gray) 351. Lo, how a rose e'er blooming". hymnary.org. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  19. ^ ""Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" – A German Christmas Carol in German and English". www.german-way.com. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  20. ^
    ISBN 978-0-598-64823-5
    . Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  21. ^ Palmer, Christopher (1978). Herbert Howells: a study. p. 16.
  22. ^ a b Phillip Cooke. "On Herbert Howells's 'A Spotless Rose'..." phillipcooke.com. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  23. ^ Spicer, Paul (1998). Herbert Howells. p. 67.
  24. ^ "Sir Philip Ledger". sirphilipledger.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  25. ^ "Behold, a Branch is Growing". Hymnary.org. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  26. ISBN 978-0-944529-18-8
    .
  27. ^ "A Great and Mighty Wonder". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
  28. ^ "A. Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Ältester Druck Speyer 1599)", Historisch-Kritisches Liederlexikon

External links

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