Brunnquell aller Güter
BWV 445 performed by Daniel Johannsen and Leo van Doeselaar
Walburgiskerk, Zutphen
Behind the music
Story
Story
Extra videos
Extra videos
Texts
Texts
Credits
Credits
Praising the Fountain of all Good
A Pentecostal poem that worships all charismata of the Holy Spirit
The 'Brunnquell aller Güter' in the title is the Holy Spirit himself, whom the Bible is attributing the provision of several essential ‘charismata‘ (talents). Johann Franck, one of the most important Lutheran poets wrote this Pentecostal poem in mid-17th century. The melody (as used by Bach in Schemelli’s hymnal) was first published in 1653 in the epochal compendium ‘Praxis Pietatis Melica‘ (‘Exercises in soundful piety‘) and could have been written by the editor of this collection, the great Johann Crüger.
The originally eight verses (in this recording the tenor sings four verses) are depicting and worshipping all of the benefits, merits and talents literally ‘inspired‘ by God. But the text gradually becomes an ardent plea for steadiness in faith, for composure in turmoil. The last stanza is a prayer for overcoming satan’s attempts and for the granting of a place in the heavenly chorus.
The catchy tune, always changing minor and major, is both earnest and playful. It could easily be the theme for a set of variations: the different length of the lines (six shorter followed by two longer ones) keeps the poem fluent and interesting. Observing the tradition of 17th century music, a little interlude, a ritornello, is inserted between the four selected verses. It is one of these tunes that stay in your ear for a long time ― which might be exactly the aim of its devout author...
Musicalisches Gesang-Buch G.C. Schemelli
In the eighteenth century, sacred songbooks for private use were an important aid in simple, domestic devotion. For example, no fewer than 17 editions of Johann Freylinghausen’s Geistreiches Gesangbuch were published between 1704 and 1734. Two years later, pietist Georg Christian Schemmel, alias Schemelli, launched his own songbook, containing no fewer than 954 songs, 69 of which included melody, text incipit and figured bass. In order to outdo the competition, he involved probably the most famous music consultant of all time, who happened to be his son’s music teacher: Bach. Following intensive research, only three of the 21 original melodies in the collection (BWV 439-509) can be attributed with certainty to the cantor at the Thomasschule: BWV 452, 478 and 505. The others are accompaniments, revisions and improvements. Bach’s precise role in Schemelli’s Gesangbuch will probably always remain a mystery.
- BWV
- 445
- Title
- Brunnquell aller Güter
- Instrument
- tenor
- Genre
- songs and arias
- Serie
- Schemelli's Musicalisches Gesang-Buch
- Year
- before April 1736
- Lyricist
- Johann Franck, 1674
Extra videos
Vocal texts
Original
Brunnquell aller Güter,
Herrscher der Gemüter,
lebendiger Wind,
Stiller aller Schmerzen,
dessen Glanz und Kerzen
mein Gemüt entzündt,
lehre meine schwache Seiten
deine Kraft und Lob ausbreiten.
Starker Gottesfinger,
fremder Sprachen Bringer,
süßer Herzenssaft,
Tröster der Betrübten,
Flamme der Verliebten,
alles Atems Kraft,
gib mir deine Brunst und Gaben,
dich von Herzen lieb zu haben.
Teure Gottesgabe,
komm, o komm, mich labe,
sieh, ich bin verschmacht,
komm, o mein Verlangen,
komm, mein Lieb, gegangen,
denn mein Herze lacht,
wird von neuem ganz erquicket,
wann es, Labsal, dich erblicket.
Lass den Fürst der Höllen
nicht mit Listen fällen
meiner Tage Lauf:
nimm nach diesem Leiden
mich zur Himmelsfreuden,
deinen Diener, auf,
da soll dich mein Mund erheben,
dir ein Halleluja geben.
Translation
Source of all our blessings
Lord, all minds possessing,
living spirit’s wind,
comfort in all suffering,
whose bright glory offering
sets alight my mind,
teach my feeble understanding
your great power and praise expanding.
Mighty God alighting
gift of tongues igniting,
sweet sap in my heart,
comforts all those troubled,
source of lovers’ power,
strength of every breath,
give to me your gifts and ardor
so my heart your love can harbor.
Gift of God most precious
come, o come refresh me,
see how weak I am,
come, o my desire,
come, love, lift me higher,
then my heart will laugh,
how it springs to life triumphant
when it sees you, Source of Comfort.
May no harm befall us
from the Prince of Darkness
all throughout my days,
after life’s long sadness
give me heavenly gladness,
as your servant prays,
there my mouth will sing your praises,
as it hallelujah raises.
translation © Ruth van Baak Griffioen, 2025
Credits
-
- Release date
- 23 January 2025
-
- Recording date
- 28 May 2024
-
- Location
- Walburgiskerk, Zutphen
-
- Tenor
- Daniel Johannsen
-
- Organ
- Leo van Doeselaar
-
- Instrument
- Henrick Bader, 1639/1643
-
- Director and editor
- Gijs Besseling
-
- Music recording
- Guido Tichelman, Pim van der Lee
-
- Music edit and mix
- Guido Tichelman
-
- Camera
- Danny Noordanus, Manon Hoskens, Remco van Leest
-
- Grip
- Wouter Visser
-
- Assistant music recording
- Marloes Biermans
-
- Producer
- Lisanne Marlou de Kok
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