Johann Rist (Hymn-Writer, Composer)

Born: March 8, 1607 - Ottensen, Holstein (near Hamburg), Germany
Died: August 31, 1667 - Wedel, Germany

Johann Rist, son of a pastor, attended the Johanneum in Hamburg and the Gymnasium Illustre in Bremen, then matriculated at the University of Rinteln. Under the influence of Josua Stegman there, his interest in hymn writing began. On leaving Rinteln, he tutored the sons of a Hamburg merchant, accompanying them to the University of Rostock, where he himself studied Hebrew, mathematics, and medicine.

During his time at Rostock, the Thirty Years War almost emptied the University, and Johann Rist himself lay there for several weeks, suffering from pestilence. After his recovery, he seems to have spent some time at Hamburg. In 1633, he became tutor in the house of Landschreiber Heinrich Sager at Heide, in Holstein. There he married Elizabeth Stapfel, daughter of a judge, and spent the rest of his life. Emperor Ferdinand II crowned him as a poet in 1644, and in 1653 raised him to the nobility. Among other literary honors, Rist became a member of the Pegnitz Order in 1645, and the Fruitbearing Society in 1647. In 1660, he founded the Elbe Swan Order, though it did not survive his death.

Source: Cyber Hymnal Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2003)

Texts of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

BWV 11, BWV 20, BWV 43, BWV 55, BWV 60, BWV 78/1-7; BWV 105/6; BWV 175, BWV 248/2; BWV 247/44; BWV 248/38,40; BWV 248/42
BWV 316; BWV 344; BWV 352; BWV 353; BWV 354; BWV 356; BWV 404, BWV 454, BWV 502, BWV 513

Chorale Texts used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Du Lebensfürst, Herr Jesu Christ (1641)

Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist (1641; EKG 24)

Gott, der du selber bist das Licht (1641; ELS 639)

Hilf, Herr Jesu, laß gelingen (1642; NLGB 47; EKG 41; EG 61)

Jesu, der du meine Seele

Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben (1641; NLBG 320; ELG 436)

O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort

O Gottes Geist, mein Trost und Rat (1651)

O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid (verses 2-6: 1641)

So wünsch ich mir zu guter Letzt (1641)

Werde munter mein Gemüte

Chorale Melodies used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Jesu, der du meine Seele

Links to other Sites

Johann Rist (Cyber Hymnal)
Johann von Rist (CCEL)

Bibliography