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Chorales BWV 250-438: Details and Recordings
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - N. Matt | Chorales - H. Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
Discussions: Motets & Chorales for Events in the LCY / Chorales by Theme | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Passion Chorale
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438 | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Texts & Translations of Chorales BWV 250-438
Chorale Texts: Sorted by Title | Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [A. Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [C.S. Terry] | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions [T. Braatz] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | The World of the Bach Chorale Settings [W.L. Hoffman]
Hymnals: Hymnals used by Bach | Wagner Hymnal 1697 | Evangelisches Gesangbuch 1995 | Dietel Chorale List c1734
Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales


Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Weltlich Ehr und zeitlich Gut
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 240; NGBS 514
Author: Michael Weisse (1531)
Chorale Melody: Weltlich Ehr und zeitlich Gut (Zahn 4972) | Composer: Valentin Triller (Breslau, 1555)
Theme: Christian Life & Conduct

Description:

"Weltliche Ehr und zeitliche Gut" (Worldly honors and transient goods) is found in the (NLGB 240, Christian Life & Conduct), text Michael Weisse (c.1488-1534) Moravian hymnbook, Bohemian Brethern and Martyrs, 1531 (10 7-line stanzas, http://www.hymnary.org/hymn/NGBS1813/514). The melody of Valentin Triller Ein Schlesich singbüchlein Breslau 1555 (descant of M. Weisse’s original tune, Zahn 4975) [originally attributed to Melchior Vulpius (c.1560-1615 Vögelin Gesangbuch 1563. J.S. Bach's 4-part chorale setting is BWV 426 (C Major, BCW http://www.bach-cantatas.com/INS/BWV426-00.htm. The chorale “Weltliche Ehr und zeitliche Gut" is listed in the Orgelbüchlein No. 92, “Christian Life and Conduct,” but was not set. “The hymn was not in Leipzig use in J.S. Bach’s period,” “nor does Schemelli 1736 include it” says Terry (Four-Part Chorals: Ibid., FN 366: 519). It is included in Freylinghausen Neues Geistreiches Gesangbuch &c, Halle 1741 (http://www.hymnary.org/person/Freylinghausen_JA) and Reimann Sammlung alter und neuer Melodien evangelischen Lieder 1747.
Source: Motets & Chorales for 1st Sunday after Trinity (William Hoffman, June 9, 2011)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Weltlich Ehr und zeitlich Gut, BWV 426
Ref: RE 211; Br 211; KE: 351; AmB 46II p.163; BGA 173; BC F 197.1; CST 366

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Weltlich Ehr und zeitlich Gut,
Wollust und aller Übermuth
Ist eben wie ein Gras,
Alle Pracht und Stolzer Ruhm
Verfällt als ein Wiesenblum:
O Mensch, bedenk eben das
Und versorge dich noch bass!

1. Earth's frail pomp and vanities,
Delights and vain frivolities,
Shall wither as the grass.
All its might and boasted power
Falleth as a faded flower.
This is truth! it Close embrace,
And With care pursue thy course!

2. Dein End bild dir täglich für,
Gedenk der Tod ist für der Thür
Und will mit dir davon,
Er klopft an und du musst h'raus,
Und da wird nichts anders aus:
Hättest du nun recht gethan,
So fündest du guten Lohn.

2. Live as though the day were near
When thou before God must appear.
When death knocks at the door,
His dread summons must obey,
When he calls thou must not stay.
If thou hast fulfilled God's law
He will welcome thee, be sure.

3.

 

4.

 

5.

 

6.

 

7. Christus redet offenbar
Und spricht zu aller Menschen Schaar:
Wer mit mir herrschen will,
Der nehm auch sein Kreuz auf sich,
Unterwerf sich williglich
Und halt sich nach mein'm Beispiel,
Thu nicht, wie sein Adam will.

7. Christ, when here on earth He lived,
Spake oftentimes to those He loved
'He Who would call him Mine
Must here bear his Cross, as I,
Take its burden willingly,
To My will his own resign,
And for Mammon never pine'.

8. O Mensch, sie an Jesum Christ,
Sofern er dir zum Fürbild ist,
Und untergib dich gar:
Nimm auf dich sein süsses Joch
Und folg ihm doch treulich nach,
So kommst du zur Engelschaar,
Die des wartet immerdar.

8. Do as Jesus bids thee do,
Him only as thy Pattern know
And strive to learn His will!
His yoke cheerful on you take,
All you do, do for His sake!
Journey ever on until
Angels' songs your senses fill.

9.

 

10.

 
 

Source of German Text: Bach Digital (verse 1) | Monarchieliga (verse 1) | Hymnary.org | | Charles Sanford Terry: The Four-Part Chorals of J.S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 1929), p 394 (verses 1,2,7,8)
English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry | Source of English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry: The Four-Part Chorals of J.S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 1929), p 394
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (October 2018- November 2018)


Chorales BWV 250-438: Details and Recordings
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - N. Matt | Chorales - H. Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
Discussions: Motets & Chorales for Events in the LCY / Chorales by Theme | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Passion Chorale
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438 | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Texts & Translations of Chorales BWV 250-438
Chorale Texts: Sorted by Title | Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [A. Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [C.S. Terry] | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions [T. Braatz] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | The World of the Bach Chorale Settings [W.L. Hoffman]
Hymnals: Hymnals used by Bach | Wagner Hymnal 1697 | Evangelisches Gesangbuch 1995 | Dietel Chorale List c1734
Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales




 

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Last update: Saturday, January 04, 2020 13:41