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Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV614
composer
circa 1713/7; Weimar; Orgelbüchlein
arranger
In his setting of Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV614, Bach opts for a mood far removed from that of most modern-day festivities. For him the end of the year was a time for contemplation, evaluation, and thankfulness. The constant chromatic lines, both ascending and descending, and the rather bleak harmonies create a feeling of introspection. Once more the original tune (dating from 1588) is elaborately decorated. The opening verse of the hymn is that which seems to suit the music best:
Das alte Jahr vergangen ist:
Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ,
Dass du uns in so gross Gefahr
Bewahrt hast lange Zeit und Jahr.
The old year hath passed away
For this we thank you Lord today
That thou has kept us through the year
When danger and distress were near.
from notes by Angela Hewitt © 2001
Dans la musique de Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV614, Bach opte pour une atmosphère bien éloignée des festivités modernes marquant le nouvel an. Pour lui, la fin de l’année était un temps de contemplation, d’évaluation et de remerciement. Les lignes chromatiques constantes, aussi bien ascendantes que descendantes, et les harmonies plutôt sombres contribuent à créer un sentiment d’introspection. La mélodie originale (datant de 1588) est décorée avec soin. Le premier vers du cantique est celui qui semble le mieux convenir à la musique:
La vieille année s’en est allée
Nous te remercions Seigneur Jésus-Christ,
De ce que, dans un si grand danger,
Tu nous as protégés un si long temps et une si longue année.
extrait des notes rédigées par Angela Hewitt © 2001
Français: Isabelle Battioni
In seiner Vertonung von Das alte Jahr vergangen ist BWV614 wählt Bach eine Stimmung, die von den meisten Festlichkeiten unserer Tage weit entfernt ist. Für ihn war das Jahresende eine Zeit der Besinnung, des Rückblicks und der Dankbarkeit. Die anhaltend chromatischen Linien, die sowohl auf- als auch absteigen, und die recht kargen Harmonien schaffen eine Atmosphäre der inneren Einkehr. Auch diesmal ist die Originalmelodie (aus dem Jahr 1588) aufwendig verziert. Die erste Strophe des Kirchenlieds scheint am besten auf die Musik zu passen:
Das alte Jahr vergangen ist:
Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ,
Dass du uns in so gross Gefahr
Bewahrt hast lange Zeit und Jahr.
aus dem Begleittext von Angela Hewitt © 2001
Deutsch: Anne Steeb/Bernd Müller
Recordings
 Bach ArrangementsCDA67309  ‘A magnificent addition to both the Bach repertoire and Angela Hewitt's artistically unparallelled survey of Bach's keyboard compositions’ (Fanfare, USA) ‘A collection of rarities and oddities that makes for enjoyable listening. The quality of the Hyperion recording is excellent, with the right balance ...» More |
 Bach: OrgelbüchleinCDA66756Archive Service ‘Herrick's 'Orgelbüchlein' is in every way recommendable and these performances can stand among the finest in the catalogue’ (The Penguin Guide to Com ... «Style, goût et invention sont parfaits … une approche magnifiquement virtuose, riche en couleurs et d'une articulation prodigieusement élaborée» ...» More |
 Bach: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 6 - Walter RummelCDA67481/22CDs Last few CD copies remaining ‘Time and again you are reminded of real technique as opposed to a more familiar, glib and colourless alternative, and it is surely no exaggeration to ... ‘Amazing too is Jonathan Plowright's ability to project these pieces while keeping every voice and nuance in balance. Performances of rare identificat ...» More |
 Bach: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 7 - Max RegerCDA676832CDs for the price of 1 — Archive Service Hyperion’s Bach piano transcription series has reached volume 7 with the complete transcriptions by Max Reger. Reger was described by his contemporaries as ‘the modern-day Bach’. His skills as a pianist were matched by his abilities as an organist ...» More |
 Bach: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 9 - A Bach Book for Harriet CohenCDA67767 In 1931 the pianist and muse Harriet Cohen invited all her principal composer friends each to make an arrangement of a work by J S Bach for inclusion in an album to be published by Oxford University Press. Published as A Bach Book for Harriet Cohe ...» More |
 Bach: The Complete Organ Works, Vol. 12Studio Master: SIGCD812Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available  The latest volume in David Goode's survey on the Metzler organ of Trinity College Cambridge turns to Bach's glorious Orgelbüchlein.» More |
 Bach: The Complete Organ WorksCDS44121/3616CDs Boxed set (at a special price) — Deleted ‘Let me say without hesitation that Herrick’s performances are models of clarity, accuracy, precision and musicality … this is a complete Bach th ... ‘Herrick is one of the few organists who does justice to these difficult, elusive pieces … What a singular joy to hear the organ played with such ...» More |
Details
Track 6 on CDA67481/2
CD1 [3'26]
2CDs Last few CD copies remaining
Track 19 on CDS44121/36
CD9 [1'58]
16CDs Boxed set (at a special price) — Deleted
