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  • Bach's World
    • 2022-2023 Concerts >
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      • Arnstadt & Mülhausen
      • Bach Through the Years
    • 2022-23 Educational Events >
      • BachTalks
      • Saturday Sings!
    • 2022-23 Virtual Offerings >
      • The Choir Loft >
        • Feb. 5 - Winter's Chill - Dianna Morgan
        • Feb. 12 - The Heirs of Bach: Charles Ives - Steve Osborn
        • March 12 - The Heirs of Bach: Hugo Distler - Steve Osborn
      • Repertoire Exploration Projects
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    • Donate today!
  • Who we are and What we do
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Sei ist mir Lieb
This week's chorale is different from any other chorale I know. Both words and music are by Martin Luther, and there's no indication that (as with many others of his chorales) he was working with preëxisting materials.

The visionary lyrics were inspired by imagery from Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelations. The music came from who knows where, for it is truly sui generis. Filled with long, lyrical phrases, many syncopations, and a contrasting section of urgent 4-note phrases, it seems and sounds like stream-of-consciousness, a pouring out of love and admiration of the Virgin from Luther's very heart.

Our project is a little different this time around. I am attaching a melodic score in a convenient key (though you are welcome to transpose at will). I think everyone should learn this marvelous tune! To help you to do so (and to inspire you), listen to this great lyrical performance by Franz Vitzthum on YouTube.

I am also attaching scores for two different chorale arrangements, by Michael Praetorius and Johann Hermann Schein. Many of you will enjoy reading the parts these composers have written against the unusual melody. There are no high-quality recordings of these (till after the Pandemic anyway--the future projects for us are accumulating at a great rate!); but I am including a midi-guitar recording of the Praetorius. Also attached are text/translation (the translation is poetic rather than literal), and Andrea's pronunciation recording of the first verse.

And then (and this will be especially luscious when you've gotten to know the melody) go beyond: 
Here's a wonderful jazz performance of the piece by the German trio Continuum;
and for those of you who like so-called 'modern music', check this out.
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