Category: Choir / Vocal , Organ / Sacred Music
Movements: O MEINER SEELEN ZIER! (Oh, adornment of my soul!)
Transmutatio based on J.S. Bach's „Christmas Oratorio“
for baritone, female choir (S/A) and ensemble
Duration: 7 minutes
Publisher of notes/sheet music: Strube-Verlag Munich , Eidtion Strube 6909 , 2015
Instrumentation: Baritone solo (ad lib. also choric with male voices)
Female voices (1-2 voices) (S/A)
1 Traverse flute (German flute)
1 Oboe
1 Cor Anglais
1 Percussionist (kettledrums, triangle, hanging cymbal, claves, metal chimes)
Viola
Violoncello
Double bass
Organ
The composition can be performed by baritone solo or (a very light) female choir with soprano /alto but also by a choir with 3 voices. Furthermore, all strings can be soloists or a striking small string orchestra.
Text/Lyrics by: misc. (baroque authors)
Introduction: Fragments from the 1st cantata of J.S.Bach's „Christmas Oratorio“ in German language
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf preiset die Tage!
Preiset ihn, preiset ihn!
Er ist auf Erden kommen arm....
Und legten ich in eine Krippe,
denn sie hatten sonst keinen Platz in der Herberge.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf preiset die Tage!...
Wie soll ich dich empfangen, und wie begeg’n ich dir?
O aller Welt verlangen, o meiner Seelen Zier!
O Jesu, Jesu! Setzte mir selbst die Fackel bei,
damit was dich ergötze, mir kund und wissend sei.
.... o meiner Seelen Zier! ....o meiner Seelen Zier!
Dedication: ...for Achim Maertins
Additional remarks: The composition is a commissioned work for the nationwide oecumenic project of the churches around the Wuppertal area where the 6 cantata of Bach's Christmas Oratorio are performed in 6 churches together with a contemorary counterpart for each cantata. O MEINER SEELEN ZIER! (Oh, adornment of my soul!) counters the Bach's rejoicing of the 1st cantata intentionally with a more reflective and contemplative fragment version: after a quote of „Jauchzet frohlocket!“ (Rejoice, exult!), the focus shifts to „Armut“ (poverty), „Krippe“ (manger) and „Herberge“ (shelter) .... intentionally done so with regard to the many refugees arriving from Syria where you can see parallels to the to the „Zeit des Kaisers Augustus“ (time of emporer Augustus) .... Everything culminates in the reflective version of the choral „Wie soll ich dich empfangen?“ (How shall I receive you?).
World premiere: 25.12.2015, Ev. Chruch Vohwinkel/Wuppertal
Performers at world premiere: Christmas Day 12/25/2015 - 11 AM (CET) in the Ev. Church
Vohwinkel / Wuppertal, Cond. Achim Maertins
