- An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653b
[4:17]
A double pedal version of the more famous Leipzig setting, with less
ornamentation throughout, the Chorale being played in the soprano rather than the
tenor voice. These changes alone make it quite a different piece, but when you
compare how Bach treats passing tones and how he allocates the two pedal parts,
you realize what a marvelous orchestrator and improvisor he was.
Midi File available.
Instrument:
Buzard Opus 3 (1986) - Samples by Brett Milan
- Chorale Text
German:
An Wasserflüssen Babylon
Da sassen wir mit Schmerzen
Als wir gedachten an Zion,
Da weinten wir von Herzen.
Wir hingen auf mit schwerem Mut
Die Orgeln und die Harfen gut
An ihre Bäum der Weiden,
Die drinnen sind in ihrem Land;
Da mussten wir viel Schmach und Schand
Täglich von ihnen leiden.
--Wolfgang Dachstein, 1525
English
Beside the streams of Babylon
Our weary vigil keeping
When we remember Zion yon,
We never cease from weeping.
We hang our harps, in our despair,
Upon the weeping willows there
And mourn our degradation.
All we hold dear our foes defame
And we must suffer slur and shame
In daily tribulation.
--Henry S. Drinker, 1941
Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 1 software
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