Issue 26 - Wake, awake!

In 1731, Johann Sebastian Bach wrote cantata 140, Wachet Auf, ruft uns die stimme. Approximately fifteen years later, he took the fourth movement from it, grouped it together with 5 other movements from various cantatas, and transcribed them for organ solo. They were published by Johann Georg Schübler and have been nicknamed "The Schübler Chorales". The prelude this Sunday, Wake, awake (Wachet auf) is the first in the set. You'll hear the solo hymn melody (ELW 436, verse 2) in the left hand on a trumpet stop (in the cantata, this line would have been sung by the tenors). The right hand and pedal imitate the string orchestra accompaniment.

Albert Schweitzer, a pivotal historian in the interpretation of Bach's music, beautifully illuminates the music in this quote: "[The movement] is dominated by a simple dance melody. With this the chorale melody is combined dissonantly, as if it had nothing to do with it; the cry of the watchman strikes into the music of the procession that is drawing nigh with the bridegroom. In order that this may have its proper rural quality, it is written for the strings in unison, with an accompaniment in the contrabasses."

If you love the music of Advent as much as I do, I invite you to join me this Thursday, December 6th, at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul (815 High Street, Des Moines) at 12:10 for an organ recital of Advent music. If you're not the type to attend organ concerts, I encourage you to give it a try - just this once! Not only will it be great music - but I think you'll enjoy hearing the organ at St. Paul's which is built in a French style (in contrast to our organ at St. John's which is modeled in a German style). Not all organs are alike - and it's a real delight that in Des Moines there are such a great variety of wonderful instruments to hear and play. Hope to see you there!

(Image: Bach's seal: how many times can you find his initials?)