Advent Calendar – 14th December, 2021 – Wachet auf (Sleepers, Wake)
Merry Christmas!
Danielle and Dave’s Advent Calendar, 2021
14th December, 2021
Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme (Sleepers, Wake) – Cantata BWV 140
transcribed by the composer as Schubler Chorale no 1 BWV 645- JS Bach
(adapted for this advent calendar from transcription for piano by Cyril C Dalmaine)
In other words, this began life as a vocal and instrumental work which was transcribed for organ which itself was transcribed again for piano and this transcription was made for harp! Incidentally, the piano and harp transcriptions are not in the original key of E flat major. This cantata was first performed on November 25th 1731 and I recorded it for this calendar 290 years and one day later! It was written in Leipzig for the 27th Sunday after Trinity (in other words, the last Sunday before Advent). The organ transcription was published in 1747 or 1748.
The title of the original cantata literally means ‘Wake up! The voice is Calling Us!’ although more commonly today it is known as ‘Wake, oh wake, for night is flying!’
The words were taken from a Lutheran hymn by Philipp Nicolai first published in 1599 based on the Parable of the Ten Virgins found in the book of Matthew 25: 1-13. In its mystical prophesy there is a symbolism of Advent which is why the work is commonly performed in the lead up to Christmas.
The original cantata was scored for soprano, tenor and bass soloists, SATB choir, 1 violino piccolo, 2 oboes, taille, 2 violins, viola and continuo including bassoon. The taille was a two keyed Baroque alto oboe and the violin piccolo was a kind of soprano violin, about the size of a child’s violin and pitched a minor 3rd or a perfect 4th higher than violin tuning.
It had seven movements. The organ -piano-harp transcription is an adaptation of the fourth movement of the cantata which is actually a setting of the second verse of the Nicolai words ‘Zion hört die Wächter singen ‘ (Zion hears the watchmen singing).
The form was that of a Chorale Prelude where the actual chorale melody is heard in longer notes against the decorative figuration of the other parts. In the original Cantata the chorale melody was held by the tenors which is why it is in that medium -low range here on the harp and may require careful listening to pick out amongst the harp’s natural resonance.
Harp – Erard Grecian, 1830s
https://www.classicfm.com/composers/bach/music/cantata-no-140/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wachet_auf,_ruft_uns_die_Stimme,_BWV_140
https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-140/