Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele
Happy Thursday! (Point of trivia: Thursday is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Go figure.)
We're dealing today with yet another cool chorale hitherto unbeknownst to yours truly. Actually, that's not quite true, as the Bach Choir performed Cantata 39 in our 2009 program, "Joining Together and Feeding the Hungry" (see below). But in the intervening 12 years, the charming chorale which closes that cantata, 'Freu dich sehr, O meine Seele', had vanished from my memory.
But it's back, and with a vengeance!
In 1551, Louis Bourgeois published a collection of French psalm settings, including today's melody, based upon a secular French song from around 1510. As you can see from the attached melody sheet, it's a simple, conjunct tune, slightly irregular in structure, but very singable.
The tune proved very popular as a melody for German chorale texts. In fact, no fewer than six separate texts were written to go with our melody, and many composers used the chorale for settings of all types.
A good starting point will be Johann Pachelbel's great setting for organ, which includes begins with a four-part homophonic arrangement, followed by four variations. Listening to this excellent recording while following the attached score would be a great way to get to know the tune, and to admire Pachelbel's invention in clothing the melody in various contrapuntal guises.
And then jump into an absolute cornucopia of settings by our beloved J.S. Bach, who clearly adored this chorale. All of the scores for these movements are attached herewith. I've placed the settings in order of BWV number, with the exception of the magnificent third movement of Cantata 13, scored for strings and alto, which I've saved for last. I think you'll enjoy this kaleidoscope of settings and orchestrations of our chorale. If you can, spend some time singing as well as listening. Guaranteed to brighten your day!
BWV 019: Es erhub sich ein Streit--Movement 07:
BWV 025:Es ist nicht gesundes--Movement 06:
BWV 032-Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen--Movement 06:
BWV 039-Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot--Movement 07:
BWV 070-Betet! Wachet!--Movement 07:
BWV 194-Höchsterwünschtes Freudenfest--Movement 06:
BWV 013: Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen--Movement 03:
Happy Thursday! (Point of trivia: Thursday is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Go figure.)
We're dealing today with yet another cool chorale hitherto unbeknownst to yours truly. Actually, that's not quite true, as the Bach Choir performed Cantata 39 in our 2009 program, "Joining Together and Feeding the Hungry" (see below). But in the intervening 12 years, the charming chorale which closes that cantata, 'Freu dich sehr, O meine Seele', had vanished from my memory.
But it's back, and with a vengeance!
In 1551, Louis Bourgeois published a collection of French psalm settings, including today's melody, based upon a secular French song from around 1510. As you can see from the attached melody sheet, it's a simple, conjunct tune, slightly irregular in structure, but very singable.
The tune proved very popular as a melody for German chorale texts. In fact, no fewer than six separate texts were written to go with our melody, and many composers used the chorale for settings of all types.
A good starting point will be Johann Pachelbel's great setting for organ, which includes begins with a four-part homophonic arrangement, followed by four variations. Listening to this excellent recording while following the attached score would be a great way to get to know the tune, and to admire Pachelbel's invention in clothing the melody in various contrapuntal guises.
And then jump into an absolute cornucopia of settings by our beloved J.S. Bach, who clearly adored this chorale. All of the scores for these movements are attached herewith. I've placed the settings in order of BWV number, with the exception of the magnificent third movement of Cantata 13, scored for strings and alto, which I've saved for last. I think you'll enjoy this kaleidoscope of settings and orchestrations of our chorale. If you can, spend some time singing as well as listening. Guaranteed to brighten your day!
BWV 019: Es erhub sich ein Streit--Movement 07:
BWV 025:Es ist nicht gesundes--Movement 06:
BWV 032-Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen--Movement 06:
BWV 039-Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot--Movement 07:
BWV 070-Betet! Wachet!--Movement 07:
BWV 194-Höchsterwünschtes Freudenfest--Movement 06:
BWV 013: Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen--Movement 03: