- Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten, BWV 668
[4:37]
The famous last piece of Bach, dictated in a darkened room to his son-in-law Altnikol. The simplicity of this setting is nevertheless laden with the
circumstance of its writing. There are those who doubt the authenticity of this affecting story. Registration - Man. 1: Prinzipal 8'; Man. II: Gedackt
8' + Rohrflöte 4' +Nassat 3' +Tertia 1 3/5'; Pedal: Subbass 16' and Man. I/Pedal Coupler.
Midi File available.
Instrument:
Gottfried Silbermann Organ, St. Marienkirche - Rötha, Germany (1722) -
Samples by Brett Milan
- Chorale Text
German:
Wenn wir in höchsten Nöthen sein
yund wissen nicht, wo aus und ein,
und finden weder Hilf' noch Rath,
ob wir gleich sorgen früh und spat.
English:
When in the hour of utmost need
We know not where to look for aid,
When days and nights of anxious thought
Nor help nor counsel yet have brought.
--Tr. C. Winkworth
[Alternate Text]
German:
Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit,
O Gott, und dich demütig bitt;
Wend dein genädig Angesicht
Von mir, den armen Sünder nicht.
--Attributed to Bodo von Hodenberg, 1646
English:
Before Thy Throne I now appear,
O Lord! bow down Thy gracious Ear,
Reject not from Thy loving Face
A [poor sinner], who sues for Grace.
--John Christian Jacobi, Psalmodia Germanica, 1720
Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 1 software
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