An Wasserflüssen Babylon
This week I have been getting to know a chorale that's new to me (other than as a title on a list). It's called 'An Wasserflüssen Babylon', and is based upon Psalm 137, a powerful lament sung by the people of Israel in exile. Many of you will recall the story, and will also remember one or both of two (very different) musical pieces based thereupon:
This famous three-part canon; and this Rastafarian song.
Naturally we'll be focusing upon the original song. Attached is the tune as it appear in Zahn (still the standard encyclopedic source on chorales), and the text/translation sheet. Also included are four different settings, to wit:
1) Johannes Wannenmacher's snazzy duet, published in 1553.
I haven't been able to find a recording of this piece, but inside my head it sounds great!
2) Johann Hermann Schein's setting for two sopranos and instruments from his Opella Nova (1618). Very different from the Wannamacher, but also very attractive. The excellent recording features on Soprano 1 a dead ringer (sound-wise)
for Alison Harris--if you know Alison's voice, listen and see if you agree!
3) Bach's four-part setting (BWV 267), which he left without text--thus it can be performed (as it is here) with the 'An Wasserflüssen' words, or with the alternate lyrics also associated with the tune, Paul Gerhardt's 'Ein Lämmlein geht'.
4) Another setting by Bach, this one for organ, BWV 653, one of the Great Eighteen Leipzig Chorales, written in the last decade of the composer's life. The score for this one is attached, but the recording is available here in a YouTube video.
Stop! Look! Listen! Enjoy! Let the music wash over you and (though the words are sad) it will make you happy.
This week I have been getting to know a chorale that's new to me (other than as a title on a list). It's called 'An Wasserflüssen Babylon', and is based upon Psalm 137, a powerful lament sung by the people of Israel in exile. Many of you will recall the story, and will also remember one or both of two (very different) musical pieces based thereupon:
This famous three-part canon; and this Rastafarian song.
Naturally we'll be focusing upon the original song. Attached is the tune as it appear in Zahn (still the standard encyclopedic source on chorales), and the text/translation sheet. Also included are four different settings, to wit:
1) Johannes Wannenmacher's snazzy duet, published in 1553.
I haven't been able to find a recording of this piece, but inside my head it sounds great!
2) Johann Hermann Schein's setting for two sopranos and instruments from his Opella Nova (1618). Very different from the Wannamacher, but also very attractive. The excellent recording features on Soprano 1 a dead ringer (sound-wise)
for Alison Harris--if you know Alison's voice, listen and see if you agree!
3) Bach's four-part setting (BWV 267), which he left without text--thus it can be performed (as it is here) with the 'An Wasserflüssen' words, or with the alternate lyrics also associated with the tune, Paul Gerhardt's 'Ein Lämmlein geht'.
4) Another setting by Bach, this one for organ, BWV 653, one of the Great Eighteen Leipzig Chorales, written in the last decade of the composer's life. The score for this one is attached, but the recording is available here in a YouTube video.
Stop! Look! Listen! Enjoy! Let the music wash over you and (though the words are sad) it will make you happy.