- Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 637
[3:17]
Truly weird and tortured chromatic changes. The Contrabassoon "falls" in sevenths, and the tonality shifts abruptly near the end. Other performers
(the usual suspects) are the Oboe with the prominent "D," the plaintive English Horn and our usually cheerful Bassoon, covering more dynamic range
than usual.
- Chorale Text
German:
Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt
Menschlich' Natur und Wesen,
Dasselb' Gift ist auf uns geerbt,
Dass wir nicht konnt'n genesen
Ohn' Gottes Trost,
Der uns erlöst
Hat von dem grossen Schaden,
Darein die Schlang'
Evan bezwang,
Gott's Zorn auf sich zu laden.
English:
When Adam fell, the human race
Was doomed to condemnation;
Bereft were we of innocence,
Sin's poison wrought destruction,
But thanks to God,
Who spares the rod,
From death have we been taken.
The Serpent Eve
Didst once deceive
Beholds his power shaken.
--Tr. C.S. Terry
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