- Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
[3:39]
The first of the Schübler Chorales, so called because of the person who engraved them in copper, Georg Schübler. This is a transcription of the 4th
movement of Cantata 140 for the 27th Sunday after Trinity (based on Matthew 25:1-13), which has the text "Zion hears the watchmen singing" (verse 2 in
the lyric). Bach specifies: "Dextra 8 Fuss; Sinistra 8 Fuss; Pedal 16 Fuss." In other words, Right hand 8 foot (standard pitch), left hand 8 foot
(standard pitch), Pedal 16 foot (an octave lower). Perhaps the reason for Bach's being so verbose is that these were actually published, a rarity in
his lifetime. This version goes considerably beyond the instructions in the score. Young Temperament, -3dB output volume, Impulse Reverberation added.
Instrument:
Schantz at First Baptist Church of Riverside, California (1966) sampled by Jonathan Orwig
- Chorale Text
German:
Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme
Der Wächter sehr hoch auf der Zinne:
Wach auf, du Stad Jerusalem!
Mitternacht heisst diese Stunde,
Sie rufen uns mit hellem Munde:
Wo seid ihr klugen Jungfrauen?
Wohlauf, Der Bräut'gam kommt,
Steht auf, die Lampen nehmt!
Halleluja!
Mach euch bereit
Zu der Hochzeit,
Ihr müsset ihm entgegengehn.
Zion hört die Wächter singen,
Das Herz tut ihr vor Freuden springen,
Sie wachet und steht eilend auf.
Ihr Freund kommt vom Himmel prächtig,
Von Gnaden stark, von Wahrheit mächtig.
Ihr Licht wird hell, irh Stern geht auf.
Nun komm, du werte Kron,
Herr Jesu, Gottes Sohn!
Hosianna!
Wir folgen all zum Freudensaal,
und halten mit das Abendmahl.
--Philipp Nicolai, 1599
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English:
Wake, awake, for night is flying,
The watchmen on the heights are crying:
Awake, Jerusalem at last!
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past!
The Bridegroom comes, awake.
Your lamps with gladness take;
Alleluia!
And for his marriage feast prepare,
For ye must go to meet him there.
Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom;
For her Lord comes down all glorious,
The Strong in grace, in truth Victorious.
Her Star is risen, her light is come!
Ah, come Thou blessed Lord,
O Jesu, Son of God,
Alleluia!
We follow till the halls we see
Where Thou hast bid us sup with Thee.
--Tr. Catherine Winkworth
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Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 2 software
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