Domenico Ghirlandaio, Adoration of the Shepherds, Santa Trinità, Florence, 1482-85
Cantata for the Third Day of Christmas
December 27(Weihnachts-Oratorium III)
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen
Ruler of heaven, hear our inarticulate speech
BWV 248-III
Event: Cantata for the 3rd Day of Christmas [Christmas Tuesday, St John's Day]
1st Performance: December 27, 1734 - Leipzig
Readings: Epistle: Hebrews 1: 1-14 / Ecclesiastical Letters 15: 1-8; Gospel: John 1: 1-14
Text: Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander); Martin Luther (Mvt. 5); Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 10); Christoph Runge (Mvt. 12)
Click to read a brief commentary by Simon Crouch.
Christmas Oratorio - Cantata for the Third Day of Christmas - performed by:
Click for explanation.
Unfortunately there is no one recording available for universal, free online listening:
NML & CML:
Rilling - 2
Soprano: Sibylla Rubens; Alto: Ingeborg Danz; Tenor [Evangelist]: James Taylor; Tenor: Marcus Ullmann; Bass: Hanno Müller-Brachmann; Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Bach-Collegium Stuttgart; Helmuth Rilling conducting; 2nd recording of Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 by H. Rilling. Recorded live at Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovensaal, Germany. (NML search: CD92.076 ) (CML search: BWV 248 Rilling)
NML:
1) Rilling - 1
Soprano: Arleen Augér; Alto: Julia Hamari; Tenor: Peter Schreier; Bass: Wolfgang Schöne; Echo-soprano: Christa Muckenheim; Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Bach-Collegium Stuttgart;
Helmuth Rilling conducting; 1st recording of Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 by H. Rilling. Recorded at Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart, Germany.
(NML search: CD94.010)
2) Rilling - 3
Soprano: Hampe, Christine; Soprano: Cuccaro, Costanza; Soprano: Bargen-Meister, Martina von; Alto: Browner, Alison; Alto: Schiml, Marga; Alto: Georg, Mechthild; Tenor: Kraus, Adalbert, Bass: Heldwein, Walter; Bass: Schone, Wolfgang; Stuttgart Gachinger Kantorei; Stuttgart Bach Collegium; Rilling, Helmuth conducting. NML search: CD94.018)
3) Wilhelm
Soprano: Krisztina Láki; Alto: Gisela Pohl; Tenor: Karl Markus, Bass: Berthold Possemeyer; Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben / Ensemble '76 Stuttgart; Gerhard Wilhelm conducting. (NML search: CD94.031)
4) Suzuki
Soprano: Monika Frimmer; Counter-tenor: Yoshikazu Mera; Tenor: Gerd Türk; Bass: Peter Kooy; Bach Collegium Japan; Masaaki Suzuki conducting. (NML search: BIS-CD-941-42)
5) Christophers
Soprano: Lynda Russell; Contralto: Catherine Wyn-Rogers; Tenor: Mark Padmore; Bass: Michael George; Soprano [Angel, Echo]: Libby Crabtree; The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra;
Harry Christophers conducting. (NML search: COR16017)
6) Oberfrank
Soprano: Ingrid Kertesi; Alto: Judit Németh; Tenor: Jozsef Mukk; Bass: Janos Tóth;
Hungarian Radio Chorus / Failoni Chamber Orchestra; Géza Oberfrank conducting.
(NML search: 8.550428-30)
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Christmas Oratorio - Cantata for the Third Day of Christmas
To listen to the entire cantata or an individual movement, click on underlined conductors' names.
To listen to the entire cantata for the Third Day of Christmas:
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
To listen to individual movements:
[24] 1) Chorus [S, A, T, B] Tromba I-III, Tamburi, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Stephanus Garsia Placidus, Annuciation to the Shepherds, Bibliothéque Nationale de France, Paris, 11th centuryHerrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen,
Ruler of heaven, hear our inarticulate speech,
Laß dir die matten Gesänge gefallen,
let our faint songs please you,
Wenn dich dein Zion mit Psalmen erhöht!
when your Zion exalts you with psalms!
Höre der Herzen frohlockendes Preisen,
Hear the exultant praise of our hearts,
Wenn wir dir itzo die Ehrfurcht erweisen,
as we show our reverence for you
Weil unsre Wohlfahrt befestiget steht!
since our welfare is made sure!
[25] 2) Recitative [Tenor] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Evangelist:
Und da die Engel von ihnen gen Himmel fuhren,
And as the angels went from them to heaven
sprachen die Hirten untereinander:
the shepherds said to one another:
[26] 3) Chorus Flauto traverso I/II, Violino I, Oboe d'amore I e Violino II col Soprano, Oboe d'amore II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Shepherds:Lasset uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem Let us now go to Bethlehem
und die Geschichte sehen, die da geschehen ist,
and see the event that has happened there,
die uns der Herr kundgetan hat.
which the Lord has made known to us.
[27] 4) Recitative [Bass] Flauto traverso I/II, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2;Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
+,+Staatliche+Museen,+Berlin,+c.+1480.jpg)
Hugo van der Goes, Adoration of the Shepherds (detail) , Staatliche Museen, Berlin, c. 1480Er hat sein Volk getröst',
He has consoled his people,
Er hat sein Israel erlöst,
He has redeemed his Israel,
Die Hülf aus Zion hergesendet
sent help out of Zion
Und unser Leid geendet.
and ended our suffering.
Seht, Hirten, dies hat er getan;
See, shepherds, this is what he has done;
Geht, dieses trefft ihr an!
Go, this is what you will find!
[28] 5) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki;Christophers; Oberfrank
Dies hat er alles uns getan,
All this he has done for us
Sein groß Lieb zu zeigen an;
to show his great love;
Des freu sich alle Christenheit
for this reason let all the Christian world rejoice
Und dank ihm des in Ewigkeit.
and thank him for this in eternity.
Kyrieleis!
Lord have mercy!
[29] 6) Aria (Duet) [Soprano, Bass] Oboe d'amore I/II
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Herr, dein Mitleid, dein Erbarmen
Lord, your compassion, your mercy
Tröstet uns und macht uns frei.
console us and make us free.
Deine holde Gunst und Liebe,
Your gracious favour and love,
Deine wundersamen Triebe
your wondrous desires
Machen deine Vatertreu
make the love you have for us as a father
Wieder neu.
again new.
[30] 7) Recitative [Tenor] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Gerrit van Honthurst, Adoration of the Shepherds, Wallraf-Richartz Museum , Cologne, 1622Evangelist:
Und sie kamen eilend und funden beide, Mariam und Joseph,
And they came in haste and found both, Mary and Joseph,
dazu das Kind in der Krippe liegen.
and with them the child lying in the manger
Da sie es aber gesehen hatten,
But when they had seen this
breiteten sie das Wort aus,
they spread the word
welches zu ihnen von diesem Kind gesaget war.
that had been spoken to them about this child
Und alle, für die es kam, wunderten sich der Rede,
and all those to whom it came wondered at the speech
die ihnen die Hirten gesaget hatten.
which the shepherds had told to them.
Maria aber behielt alle diese Worte
Mary however kept all these words
und bewegte sie in ihrem Herzen.
and thought over them in her heart.
[31] 8) Aria [Alto] Violino solo, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2;Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder
Enclose, my heart, this blessed wonder
Fest in deinem Glauben ein!
firmly in your faith!
Lasse dies Wunder, die göttlichen Werke,
Let this wonder, this work of God,
Immer zur Stärke
always serve to strengthen
Deines schwachen Glaubens sein!
your weak faith!
[32] 9) Recitative [Alto] Flauto traverso I/II, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Ja, ja, mein Herz soll es bewahren,
Yes, yes, my heart will keep
Was es an dieser holden Zeit
what at this gracious time
Zu seiner Seligkeit
for its blessedness
Für sicheren Beweis erfahren.
it has learned as certain proof.
[33] 10) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Ich will dich mit Fleiß bewahren,
I shall diligently keep you in mind,
Ich will dirI
shall for you
Leben hier,
live here,
Dir will ich abfahren,
to you I shall depart
Mit dir will ich endlich schweben
with you I shall one day soar aloft
Voller Freud
full of joy
Ohne Zeit
beyond time
Dort im andern Leben.
there in the other life.
[34] 11) Recitative [Tenor] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2;Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, The Shepherds share the good news, engraving, 1851-60Evangelist:
Und die Hirten kehrten wieder um,
And the shepherds went back again,
reiseten und lobten Gott um alles,
glorified and praised God for everything
das sie gesehen und gehöret hatten,
they had seen and heard,
wie denn zu ihnen gesaget war.
as it had been said to them.
[35] 12) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Seid froh dieweil,
Meanwhile be joyful
they had seen and heard,
wie denn zu ihnen gesaget war.
as it had been said to them.
[35] 12) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Seid froh dieweil,
Meanwhile be joyful
Dass euer Heil
that your salvation
Ist hie ein Gott und auch ein Mensch geboren,
has been born here as both God and man,
Der, welcher ist
He who is
Der Herr und Christ
the Lord and Christ
In Davids Stadt, von vielen auserkoren.
In David's city, chosen from many.
[36] 13) Chorus [S, A, T, B] Tromba I-III, Tamburi, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen,
that your salvation
Ist hie ein Gott und auch ein Mensch geboren,
has been born here as both God and man,
Der, welcher ist
He who is
Der Herr und Christ
the Lord and Christ
In Davids Stadt, von vielen auserkoren.
In David's city, chosen from many.
[36] 13) Chorus [S, A, T, B] Tromba I-III, Tamburi, Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling 1; Rilling 2; Rilling 3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen,
Ruler of heaven, hear our inarticulate speech,
Laß dir die matten Gesänge gefallen,
let our faint songs please you,
Wenn dich dein Zion mit Psalmen erhöht!
when your Zion exalts you with psalms!
Höre der Herzen frohlockendes Preisen,
Hear the exultant praise of our hearts,
Wenn wir dir itzo die Ehrfurcht erweisen,
as we show our reverence for you
Weil unsre Wohlfahrt befestiget steht!
since our welfare is made sure!
The German Text: http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/bach.html. The English Translation is by Francis Browne: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Intro.htm. Both used by permission.
Laß dir die matten Gesänge gefallen,
let our faint songs please you,
Wenn dich dein Zion mit Psalmen erhöht!
when your Zion exalts you with psalms!
Höre der Herzen frohlockendes Preisen,
Hear the exultant praise of our hearts,
Wenn wir dir itzo die Ehrfurcht erweisen,
as we show our reverence for you
Weil unsre Wohlfahrt befestiget steht!
since our welfare is made sure!
The German Text: http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/bach.html. The English Translation is by Francis Browne: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Intro.htm. Both used by permission.
