Johann Seb Bach - Der Gerechte kommt um

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750):
DER GERECHTE KOMMT UM

This moving piece represents a substantial reworking, possibly by Bach, of a 5-part a cappella motet by Johann Kuhnau ("Tristis est anima mea"). Kuhnau was Bach's predecessor as Thomascantor in Leipzig. The addition of an orchestral accompaniment, and also the expansion of the piece with 8 bars instrumental prelude and interlude, gives it a rhythmic drive quite unlike the original. It is assumed that this work was heard at a memorial service in Leipzig in the beginning of the 1730s.

Der Gerechte kommt um,
Und niemand ist, der es zu Herzen nehme;
Und heilige Leute werden aufgerafft,
Und niemand achtet drauf.
Denn die Gerechten werden weggerafft vor dem Unglück;
Und die richtig vor sich gewandelt haben,
Kommen zum Frieden und ruhen in ihren Kammern.

(Jesaias 57, 1-2)

The righteous perisheth,
And no man layeth it to heart:
And merciful men are taken away,
None considering that
The righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
He shall enter into peace:
they shall rest in their beds,
Each one walking in his uprightness.

(Isaiah 57, 1-2)

Retfærdige går til grunde,
men ingen ænser det;
trofaste rives bort,
uden at nogen lægger mærke til det.
På grund af ondskaben rives de retfærdige bort.
De går ind til freden,
de hviler på deres leje,
de der fulgte den rette vej.

(Esajas' bog, kap. 57, 1-2)

The Monteverdi Choir
The English Baroque Soloists
Directed by John Eliot Gardiner

If you wish to listen to other Bach family motets:

Johann Bach(?):
Sey nun wieder zufrieden:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmRlWZia5hA

Johann Michael Bach:
Das Blut Jesu Christi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32rm5RtDbm4

Johann Christoph Bach:
Der Gerechte, ob er gleich:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biNMVFKpZM4

Johann Christoph Bach:
Fürchte dich nicht:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA-P_Tjf35c

Johann Ludwig Bach:
Unsere Trübsal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6QZbOkXaHw

Johann Ludwig Bach:
Das ist meine Freude:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv0NrpFzC9s

Johann Sebastian Bach:
Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXxRDkeh4ZY

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Johann
• Sebastian
• Bach
• Kuhnau
• Der
• Gerechte
• kommt
• um
• Monteverdi
• Choir
• Eliot
• Gardiner
• score
• stigekalder

[hohnerbubb]

in bar 36 or at 2:02 the alto sings the notes B A C H and the text goes on with

"... und niemand achtet drauf" or in english "... and nobody cares about it".

Bach is the king !!!

[stigekalder]

@hohnerbubb

Great observation! This piece is thought to be composed at a time (beginning of 1730s) where Bach was quite unhappy with the conditions in Leipzig, and felt neglected by the authorities. So one can understand why he made this quotation. Actually. he also quotes BACH in his motet 'Fürchte dich nicht', although transposed (G-F#-A-G#). The first basses sing this in bar 152-153, a few bars before the end.

[kingurfay]

@hohnerbubb thank you!

[saintsaens21]

Hard to believe this is Bach indeed

[berniewa2008]

instrumental parts are by J S Bach, but the choral nucleus is by the older master Kuhnau, from which art to compose J S Bach learned very much

[net244]

..Unspoken unbelievable Beauty. Yet 'seen' by Few...Whoever comes Here be like Moses on the Mountain : take this "Bach's Stone Tablet" and give it to People.

Few only approach the Mountain yet THIS , what They find THERE , is for ALL to be taken.

[pleegjeheerlen]

ja dat is bach....

[Enebanrot]

Gloriously moving.

[billybee]

Thank you for this. God Bless.