J.S. Bach - Psalm 51, BWV 1083 "Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden" (from Pergolesi - Stabat Mater)

[Galantski]

If Bach made mention of Pergolesi on the title page, then it's an homage; if he made no mention, but rather boldly put his own name forth as "composer', then he was a thief. And, please, don't anyone try the excuse it was to make Pergolesi "better known", because at then the Italian opera composer was 100 times more famous in Europe than the German kapellmeister.

Not only is Pergolesi's better because it's his original work, but because it was written from his heart just days before his death.

[Caeliusrufus]

@Galantski It’s wrong to say that Bach stole this. Clearly Bach was immensely impressed by the work (who wouldn't be) and arranged it to fit the Lutheran context. Don't forget Pergolesi's Stabat Mater was the most widely printed music in the 18th century and became legendary almost from the moment of his early death and reams of composers copied it, arranged it, and imitated it (up to the present century). So everyone would have known it was essentially Pergolesi's. It was a common practice.

[roquefort88888]

Heh... and to think people criticise Oasis for nicking stuff from other folk!

JSB is one of my favourite composers, but this is not a Bach composition from the starting point of Pergolesi - this is Pergolesi practically note-for-note, including the continuo parts.

I wonder if I took Bach's "Christ lag in Todes Banden", made a couple of tiny harmonic changes, and substituted my own words, would people be happy attributing it to me? Might give it a go...

Thanks for sharing - very interesting.

[ArtemisSpira]

@roquefort88888 And I think if Bach had the chance to hear this wonderfull music on radio, tv or cd he didn`t need to tranpone it...

[caquerio]

This is from my favourite Stabat Mater (Pergolesi) and is sung by my favourite soprano singer (Nancy Argenta). Thanks for posting it.

[P1B1U1H1]

Has anyone considered it a gift from God to be alive today, when we can experience such ecstasy no matter where we live? There is no need today to go to Berlin or London or Paris. Youtube with its present quality is superior to the best seat in the house!

[meusisto]

@P1B1U1H1

Yes, I use to think gratefully about it.

[3NUNS]

@P1B1U1H1 : Ja !

[bachkirche]

I agree. Technology is enhancing our experience of the physical world beyond anything before imaginable, while at the same time it is destroying the Earth. It is difficult to realize the good without invoking an equal amount of bad, unless of course you have found the Good that has no opposite.

[stargirlsusan]

by the way does anyone know the exact translations of this lyrics? i know they are from psalm 54 but, that is a long psalm and im just wondering what verses he used?

[Nazartan1]

Thank you ! :o)

[stargirlsusan]

The music is so fantastic, Bach was a real genius who knew when a piece was brilliant!

I like this one just like he did.

The lyrics give a deep meaning in to it too,

Thnx for uploading

[dalberto]

Fantastica gravacao de uma das pecas mais lindas de Bach..é so ouvir, ver e sentir..

[spiritualwealth]

Stunning piece...just magnificent!

[pepitho]

esto es Pergolessi

[Jitpring]

It's eternally tragic that well meaning people have been taken in by the Protestant heresy. But thanks for uploading this.

[browilliams]

Magnificent

[yourforte]

This music is beautiful.

[baroquegeek]

I was taught that during those times it was an honor to "borrowed" music from another. It was common practice and most of everyone did it. Handel and Vivaldi are among others that practiced this. It is an unfair statement to say that he was unoriginal/overrated. Needless to say Bach was a master in his own right. He is a genius at Fugues and has the tightest woven Counterpoint compared to any other of his contemporaries.

[richiekock]

Bach was known as the biggest copywriter of his time.

He took beautiful pieces from other composers and made his own version thereof. Just like the Japanese people of taday's world. In my opinion, Bach is the most overrated composer and is abusively considered to be the greatest composer of all time.

[abatrax1]

splendida interpretazione

[nie919]

yes pergolesi, but Bach write the same

[coyote20010]

The lyrics are from the Bible, but the music, obviously, was by Pergolesi. Bach appreciated Pergolesi works. Beautiful.

[Seddius]

This is amazing...I never knew that Bach had his own version of the first movement of Pergolesi's 'Stabat Mater'(well, different words:-))

thankyou:-))))

[loveupskirts]

very relaxing

[bubblykings]

It's just a "wow"! And very good rework. I love how Bach admired so many of his contemporaries. He was obviously extremely humble. I hope he knew he was a genius himself, though. :)

[paulverste]

i don't know much about classic music but i just want to say that this is not bach. this is pergolesi. this is a masterwork of a forgotten napolitan genius.

[bubblykings]

I know the "music" is Pergolesi's, but Pergolesi set this music to his "Stabat Mater dolorosa". Bach obviously loved this music, so he set this to other words, a psalm in this case. That's why I mentioned that Bach admired his contemporaries. :)

Actually, this is explained in the video description.

[Jairdan]

No, its Bach...But he just copied Pergolesis music one to one. and set it too different words..Psalm 51..It is very similar, but not completely ...In those times: there were no copyright laws....

[Livsglede]

Thank you so much for posting!

[saturne46]

Merveilleuse interprétation de Guillemette Laurens et Nancy Argenta. Parmi les meilleures que je connaisse de cet air. Bravo

[arichis]

This is taken note for note from Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater". (Nothing new as Bach did this with Vivaldi as well). Bach greatly admired Pergolesi's woks and was influenced by him.

[nie919]

si,si ...Pergolesi:)

[whomakemefeel]

I saw it yesterday on MEZZO channel it's completely perfect orchestra and brilliant performance indeed.

[mplungjan]

Me too. Yesterday on Mezzo ;)

[whomakemefeel]

Das ist diese wunderbare Zufall

[nie919]

J.S.B :*:*:*:*

J.S.B:*:*:*

[debartzen]

¿No es parte del "Stabat mater" de Pergolessi?

[angloman1]

beautiful singing and playing, well done

[PIGLETnotre]

Sooooo good!

[BachLoveNat]

interesting

[flute1982]

got more videos of Bach?

[protestant7]

Sure, I have a video of Bach's Psalm 51, BWV 1083

[codonauta]

Did J S bach rework in that Pergolesi's composition? I didn't know that.

[protestant7]

Yes, I did. According to Bach, the words of a song changed with contents of the Psalm 51 of German, as well as reconstruction of new harmonies and chords also, chorus inserted with new parts composition from Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. So, consequently... Compared to Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, I think Bach's Psalm 51 became more finely. anyway, Thank you for your comment :)

[stargirlsusan]

@protestant7 you must have a good ear, because after hearing this marvelous piece i went to listen to Pergolesi and notice no difference.

[jessgirard]

@stargirlsusan I absolutely agree with @protestant7. I cannot hear a whit of difference. It's almost impossible to decode the words aside from being able to hear that the Bach arrangement is in German, but the phrasing, melody lines, harmonies, etc. all seem identical. This has been my favorite piece of vocal music for around 50 years now, and frankly whoever arranges and performs it, it's "good by me"! It's certainly in "Gift from God" territory!

[stargirlsusan]

@jessgirard you got that right.

[P1B1U1H1]

@jessgirard This is in my opinion the best performance, Latin or German. Nancy Argenta & Guillemette Laurens are exquisite, singing here better than any of their other performances, many of which are magnificent.

[pianomags]

@codonauta I had heard he "based" 1083 on the Stabat Mater by Pergolesi - but it's almost a complete steal just with different words. Good to know even the great ones did this. :D I found a winderful quotation...argh somewhere..that, after hearing Pergolesi's Hymn (nb NOT his "Serva PAdrona", he considerd him a genius, and it made him think differently about composition. ANYONE know where this is? I'd love to use it, but can't without the source :s