The seven words of Jesus Christ on the cross (Schütz)
The Seven Words of Jesus Christ on the Cross ( SWV 478) is a sacred choral work on the Seven Last Words of Jesus, composed by Heinrich Schütz . The time of origin cannot be precisely dated, but it is assumed in Schütz biographies around 1645. Liturgically it is “reading music for the celebration of the hour of Jesus' death on Good Friday” .
The introit comes from the passion song "Since Jesus stood on the cross" from the 15th century . The text of the conclusion is the last stanza of this song.
construction
The work has a five-part form scheme consisting of:
- Introitus
- Sinfonia
- The seven words
- Sinfonia
- Conclusion
The seven words thus form the core of the work, framed by the purely instrumental symphonies (the second symphonia being the same in tone as the first) and an opening and closing chorus.
The text
With the exception of the Introit and Conclusion, Schütz confines himself to biblical prose text.
Introitus
As Jesus stood on the cross
and his body was wounded
even with bitter pain,
the seven words that Jesus spoke,
contemplate in your heart.
The seven words
Without
subtext of the evangelist: 1st word
Father forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.
2nd word
woman, behold your son, behold your mother.
3rd word
Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
4th word
Eli lama asabathani '; My god why did you leave me.
5th word
I am thirsty.
Word 6
It is done.
7. Word
Father I command my spirit into your hands.
Conclusion
Whoever honors God's torture
and often remembers the seven words,
wants to cultivate God,
probably here on earth with his grace,
and there in eternal life.
occupation
The following parts are provided for the opening and closing choirs:
- Cantus (soprano)
- Altus
- Tenor I.
- Tenor II
- Bassus
- Continuus
Schütz does not provide any precise information about the line-up of the Sinfonia, there are the following names, which are usually filled with strings (but wind instruments such as tines, trombones or recorder choir would also be conceivable):
- Vox suprema instrumentalis
- Altus instrumentalis
- Tenor instrumentalis I
- Tenor instrumentalis II
- Bassus instrumentalis
- Continuus
The Christ words are each accompanied by a treble and an alto instrument counterpoint as well as a basso continuo .
It is particularly noteworthy that the evangelist is sung in different voices and in two places even with four voices.
Remarks
- ↑ Actually Aramaic אֵלִי אֵלִי לְמָה שְׁבַקְתָּנִי 'eli,' eli, lema schewaktani or ܐܹܝܠ ܐܹܝܠ ܠܡܵܢܵܐ ܫܒܲܩܬܵܢܝ 'il,' il, lmana schwaktan ; in the Luther Bible by the incorrect Eli / Eli / lama Asabthani , in Hebrew actually אֵלִ֣י אֵ֭לִי לָמָ֣ה עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי 'eli,' eli, lama 'asawtani , replaced.
Individual evidence
- ↑ , Schütz-Werke directory. Small edition, ed. v. W. Bittinger, p. 130.
- ↑ , Old German songbook. Böhme, Franz Magnus , p. 648.