- An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653b
[4:44]
A variation of the Leipzig Chorale of the same name with double pedal, less ornamentation throughout, and the Chorale 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. Regustration: Hauptwerk 8 Prinzipal; Positiv partial cornet
(omitting the 2'); Hauptwerk to Pedal coupler.
Midi File available.
Instrument:
Gottfried Silbermann Organ, St. Marienkirche - Rötha, Germany (1722) -
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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