- Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott
[9:34] (A=465)
Spectacular in its own way, and a great vehicle for showing off the Reinhardtsgrimma samples, this set of six variations opens with a short fughetta
on the Hauptwerk (Prinzipal 8' and Okava 4'), flowing onto the Hinterwerk (Gedacktes 8' and Rohrfleute 4') for Variation 2, where the manual
figuration is quicker-paced and the Chorale is sounded on the beautiful Pedal Oktaven Baß 8'. The third variation uses both the inverted and regular
forms of the Chorale as a building block, with Oktava 2'added to the Hauptwerk, and the Pedal changed to the sturdy Posaunen Baß 16', which, unlike
many 16' reeds, is quite sufficient by itself. The fourth variation flows directly from the third, but the Hauptwerk is supplemented by the Nassat 3',
and the Pedal by the Oktaven Baß 8'. Variation 5 is marked for two keyboards, with the left hand playing on the Hinterwerk (the Oktava 2' added) and
a somewhat ornamented Chorale sounds on the Hauptwerk Qvintadena 8', Spizfleute 4' and Nassat 3'). Variation 6 continues the two manual treatment
with Hauptwerk Prinzipal 8', Oktava 4', Oktava 2' and Cornett 3 Fach displaying increased ornamentation, and the rich sounding Zimbeln 2 Fach is
added to the Hinterwerk for the left hand part. The piece ends with an optional pedal support for the final cadence.
Instrument:
Gottfried Silbermann Organ, Reinhardtsgrimma / Sachsen, Germany (1731) -
Samples by Prof. Helmut Maier
- Chorale Text
German:
Erbarme dich mein, o Herre Gott,
Nach deiner grossn Barmherzigkeit.
Wasch ab, mach rein mein Missetat,
Ich kenn mein Sünd und ist mir leid.
Allein ich dir gesündigt hab,
Das ist wider mich stetiglich;
Das Bös vor dir niht mag bestahn,
du bleibst gerecht, ob du urteilst mich.
--Erhart Hegenwalt, 1524
English:
Have mercy, Lord, my sin forgive;
For Thy long-suffering is great!
O cleanse and make me fit to live,
My sore offence do thou abate
With shame do I my fault confess,
’Gainst Thee alone, Lord, have I sinned.
Thou art the source of righteousness,
And I the sinner just condemned.
--tr. Charles Sanford Terry
Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 1 software
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