Nun preiset alle Gottes Barmherzigkeit
BWV 391 performed by the Netherlands Bach Society
Sint-Gertrudiskerk, Bergen op Zoom
Behind the music
Story
Story
Texts
Texts
Credits
Credits
An Ancient Greek ode to God
In this chorale, Bach aims for classical simplicity
At first sight, this chorale appears exceptionally simple – for Bach at least. The text is an ode to God, like many chorales in the repertoire. Bach uses no special harmonic effects or striking dissonants. If you don’t listen carefully, it could just as easily be composed by one of Bach’s contemporaries (an especially gifted one). But Bach – the master of complexity – doesn’t choose simplicity without good reason. Here, he seems to be deliberately aiming for a classical, strict harmonisation. Two unusual things stand out in this ode by lyricist and composer Matthäus Appeles von Löwenstein (1594–1648), who lived at the time of Maarten Luther.
To start with, there is the irregular rhythm of the poem. Unlike many chorales, its construction is not an alternating exchange of long and short syllables (O Haupt voll Blut und Wun-den, for example). Appeles von Löwenstein’s text is not based on the usual rhythms of German poetry, but on those of Greek poetry. That tradition includes an infinite variety of poetic forms, which are all characterised by a specific rhythm. Here, Appeles von Löwenstein uses an ‘alcaic stanza’ – an exceptionally irregular form. You can hear this: the first line is interrupted briefly halfway through (a caesura) and the rhythm of the melody feels generally more exciting and unexpected. So Bach appears to deliberately accommodate Appeles von Löwenstein’s unusual rhythm through a simple, ‘classical’ composition, which is reminiscent of the austere form of a Greek temple.
The content, too, bears a resemblance to classical antiquity. In their poems, Roman poets, in particular, wanted to show how much they knew about mythological history. Here, Appeles von Löwenstein appears to be doing the same with his references to the Bible. The text is almost completely constructed of short quotes, through which the lyricist displays his knowledge of the Bible.
- BWV
- 391
- Title
- Nun preiset alle Gottes Barmherzigkeit
- Instrument
- alto, bass, soprano, tenor
- Genre
- chorales
- Lyricist
- Matthäus Appeles von Löwenstein
Extra videos
Vocal texts
Original
Nun preiset alle Gottes Barmherzigkeit!
Lob ihn mit Schalle, Werteste Christenheit!
Er läßt dich freundlich zu sich laden;
Freue dich, Israel, seiner Gnaden!
Er gibet Speise Reichlich und überall,
Nach Vaters Weise Sättigt er allzumal.
Er schaffet früh- und späten Regen,
Füllet uns alle mit seinem Segen.
Drum preis und ehre Seine Barmherzigkeit,
Sein Lob vermehre, Werteste Christenheit!
Uns soll hinfort kein Unfall schaden;
Freue dich, Israel, seiner Gnaden!
Translation
We praise the mercy of our most loving God,
Singing hymns worthy, beloved of his flock!
His loving kindness shows you daily;
Israel, now rejoice in his mercy.
Our food he gives us, everywhere, plentiful,
As is his pleasure, satisfies one and all;
He sends the rain both late and early
fills us all with his blessing and mercy.
Praise without ceasing, his mercy never ends!
Honors increasing, beloved Christian friends!
We need no longer fear our journey,
Israel, now rejoice in his mercy.
translation © Ruth van Baak Griffioen, 2024
Credits
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- Release date
- 3 October 2024
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- Recording date
- 6 May 2024
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- Location
- Sint-Gertrudiskerk, Bergen op Zoom
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- Soprano
- Marta Paklar
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- Alto
- Sofia Gvirts
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- Tenor
- João Moreira
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- Bass
- Matthew Baker
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- Theorbo
- David Mackor
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- Director and editor
- Onno van Ameijde
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- Music recording
- Guido Tichelman, Pim van der Lee
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- Music edit and mix
- Guido Tichelman
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- Camera
- Jesper Blok, Jorne Tielemans
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- Focus pull
- Glenn van Neerden
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- Lights
- Jorne Tielemans, Patrick Galvin
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- Project manager nep
- Ron Vermeulen
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- Assistant music recording
- Marloes Biermans
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- Producer
- Lisanne Marlou de Kok, Stephan Esmeijer
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