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UPDATED 03/09/2010

 
Johann Sebastian Bach
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Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV 1117 Click to Listen [1:55]
From the Neumeister Chorale Collection. In three sections, this is sort of a mini-concerto on the art of dying. Principale Soprani e Basso + Ottava + Decima IX + Vigesima II; at end add Qvinta Decima + Vigesima VI + Vigesima IX, bass duplicated in Pedal Contrabassi. Temperament: Ordinaire, -4dB output volume. Instrument: Antegnati organ in St. Carlo, Brescia, Italia, 16th-17th C. - Samples by Jiri Zurek

Chorale Text
German:
Alle Menschen müssen sterben,
alles Fleisch vergeht wie Heu,
was da lebet, muss verderben, soll es anders werden neu.
Dieser Leib, der muss verwessen,
wenn er ewig soll genesen
der so grossen Herrlichkeit,
die den Frommen ist bereit.

English:
Hark! a voice saith, all are mortal,
Yea, all flesh must fade as grass,
Only through Death's gloomy portal,
To a better life ye pass,
And this body formed of clay
Here must languish and decay,
Ere it rise in glorious might,
Fit to dwell with saints in light.
--Tr. C. Winkworth

Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 3.11 software