Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern ("How lovely shines the morning star") is a chorale of Philipp Nicolai written in 1597 and first published in 1599.
Contents |
[edit] Words and tune
The words in seven verses[1] are based on Psalm 45 (KJV), a mystical wedding song. Jesus is identified with the morning star, according to Revelation 22:16 (KJV), and with the bridegroom of the psalm. Nicolai wrote the words in response to a Pestilence in 1597.[2] He published the chorale first in 1599 in his book FrewdenSpiegel deß ewigen Lebens (The Joyous Mirror of Eternal Life) in Frankfurt, together with Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme.[3] He introduced it: "Ein Geistlich Brautlied der Gläubigen Seelen / von Jesu Christo irem himlischen Bräutgam: Gestellt ober den 45. Psalm deß Propheten Dauids", translated: "A spiritual bridal song of the believing soul / concerning Jesus Christ, her heavenly Bridegroom, founded on the 45th Psalm of the prophet David".[2]
The chorale theme Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern was codified then, but research by C. S. Terry has shown the tune to predate Nicolai's publication by at least 61 years.[4]
[edit] Hymn
The chorale appeared as a hymn in German hymnals and in several translations in English hymnals, starting with How bright appears the Morning Star! by J. C. Jacobi, in his Psalter Germanica, 1722, p. 90.[2] Additional hymns were written on the same tune such as O heilger Geist, kehr bei uns ein of Michael Schirmer (1640).[3]
[edit] Musical settings
The words, speaking of "süße musica" (sweet music") in verse 6, and the melody have inspired composers to vocal and instrumental settings.
[edit] Vocal works
Bach based his chorale cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1 on it and used single verses for other cantatas, verse 4 to close Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172, verse 5 in Wer da gläubet und getauft wird, BWV 37, verse 6 in Schwingt freudig euch empor, BWV 36, verse 7 to close Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen, BWV 49. The final lines of verse 7 form the closing chorale of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61.
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach wrote a cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (F 82). Christian Geist set the words for soprano, two violins, viola da gamba and basso continuo.[3]
[edit] Instrumental works
Bach wrote several organ preludes on the chorale. So did Pachelbel in his Erster Theil etlicher Choräle. Dieterich Buxtehude wrote a chorale fantasia Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern. In 1899 Reger composed an organ fantasy on Wie schön leucht’t uns der Morgenstern, Op. 40, 1. Ernst Pepping wrote in 1933 a partita, Partita über den Choral "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern".[5] Rolf Schweitzer wrote in 1983 a meditative work for organ, Orgelmeditation "Morgenstern".[3] Naji Hakim composed in 2008 Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, variations for oboe (flute, violin) and organ.[6]
[edit] References
 |
German Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
- ^ ""Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern", text and translation". bach-cantatas.com. 2005. http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale015-Eng3.htm. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ a b c Julian, John (1907). "Nicolai, Philipp, 1556–1608". hymnary.org. http://www.hymnary.org/person/Nicolai_P. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ a b c d Fischer, Michael (2006). "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (in German). Freiburger Anthologie Lied und Lyrik. http://www.lyrik-und-lied.de/ll.pl?kat=typ.show.song&cmd=&sf=1&ds=1786&lang=en. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ C. Sanford Terry: "A Note on the Tune, 'Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern'", The Musical Times, Vol. 58, No. 893 (1 July 1917), pp. 302–303.
- ^ "Partita über den Choral „Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern“" (in German). Ernst Pepping Gesellschaft. 2004. http://www.pepping-gesellschaft.de/Werkverzeichnis/Orgel/4.htm. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern". Schott Music. http://www.schott-music.com/shop/noten/edition_schott/oboe_englischhorn_fagott/show,251195,b.html. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
