In the Midst of the Gloom, Hear the Watchmen Singing: Wachet auf, Ruft Uns die Stimme
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Joan Paddock
Subject Area
Music
Description
This is a virtual performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 (1685-1750). There are seven movements in the cantata, and the fourth movement "Zion hört die Wächter singen," is performed in this recording. Originally a choral prelude with tenors, "Zion hört die Wächter singen" was transcribed for a trumpet, saxophone, and organ trio by Sungmin Park. In 1599, Philipp Nicolai published a Lutheran hymn on the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Based on the Lutheran hymn, in 1731, J.S. Bach composed this cantata at the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig for the 27th Sunday after Trinity, which is the last Sunday in the Church Year.
The title, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, is translated to English as Awake, Calls the Voice to Us, also known as Sleepers Wake. The direct translation from German of "Zion hört die Wächter singen" is the following: “Zion hears the watchmen singing, her heart for joy is springing, she awakes and gets up in haste. Her friend comes from heaven in his splendour, strong in mercy, mighty in truth. Her light grows bright, her star rises. Now come, you worthy crown, Lord Jesus, God’s son! Hosanna! We all follow to the joyful hall and share the evening meal.”
The text portrays the sincere joy of Zion hearing the watchmen singing to the long-awaited arrival of the Lord Jesus. This piece appropriately reflects our waiting for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and was, therefore, selected for the performance.
Consisting of a Linfield University music major student, a non-music major/minor student, and Linfield Music Department faculty, this performance was coached by Dr. Joan Haaland Paddock. This performance represents the diverse opportunities of collaboration and performance for both music major and non-major/minor students. The COVID-19 regulations allowed and maintained a safe performance environment and provided diverse ways to perform.
Performers:
Trumpet: Sungmin Park
Saxophone: Samuel Brinda
Organ: Dr. Julie Cross
Recommended Citation
Park, Sungmin Daniel and Brinda, Samuel C., "In the Midst of the Gloom, Hear the Watchmen Singing: Wachet auf, Ruft Uns die Stimme" (2021). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 29.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2021/all/29
In the Midst of the Gloom, Hear the Watchmen Singing: Wachet auf, Ruft Uns die Stimme
This is a virtual performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 (1685-1750). There are seven movements in the cantata, and the fourth movement "Zion hört die Wächter singen," is performed in this recording. Originally a choral prelude with tenors, "Zion hört die Wächter singen" was transcribed for a trumpet, saxophone, and organ trio by Sungmin Park. In 1599, Philipp Nicolai published a Lutheran hymn on the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Based on the Lutheran hymn, in 1731, J.S. Bach composed this cantata at the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig for the 27th Sunday after Trinity, which is the last Sunday in the Church Year.
The title, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, is translated to English as Awake, Calls the Voice to Us, also known as Sleepers Wake. The direct translation from German of "Zion hört die Wächter singen" is the following: “Zion hears the watchmen singing, her heart for joy is springing, she awakes and gets up in haste. Her friend comes from heaven in his splendour, strong in mercy, mighty in truth. Her light grows bright, her star rises. Now come, you worthy crown, Lord Jesus, God’s son! Hosanna! We all follow to the joyful hall and share the evening meal.”
The text portrays the sincere joy of Zion hearing the watchmen singing to the long-awaited arrival of the Lord Jesus. This piece appropriately reflects our waiting for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and was, therefore, selected for the performance.
Consisting of a Linfield University music major student, a non-music major/minor student, and Linfield Music Department faculty, this performance was coached by Dr. Joan Haaland Paddock. This performance represents the diverse opportunities of collaboration and performance for both music major and non-major/minor students. The COVID-19 regulations allowed and maintained a safe performance environment and provided diverse ways to perform.
Performers:
Trumpet: Sungmin Park
Saxophone: Samuel Brinda
Organ: Dr. Julie Cross
