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The best known Michaelfest chorale of this second period is Ludwig Helmbold's "Es stehn vor Gottes Throne" (I stand before God's throne). L. Helmbold's seven-stanza text to an unknown melody (Zahn 4298) was published by Joachim a Burck in Mühlhausen in 1594. In J.S. Bach's Das Neu Leipziger Gesangbuch (NLGB) of 1682, it is the Pulpit Hymn (No. 161) for the Michaelfest.
Associated with the hymn in Georg Philipp Telemann 1730 (Fast allgemeines Evangelisch-Musicalisches Lieder-Buch; Zahn No. 4298); in Leipzig use 1729, 1740, 1744) and without melody in Schemelli Gesangbuch, No. 309, 1736).
J.S. Bach set "Es steh'n vor Gottes Throne" once as a plain chorale setting in g minor, BWV 309. It is listed in the Orgelbüchlien for the Feast of St Michael and All Angels (OB 58) but not set. An organ chorale prelude may be by J.S. Bach, BWV deest, Emans NBA/KB IV/10: 65, three-part harmony with pedal, 37 measures in A minor/Major.
There are some 30 references to the "throne" in Revelation. "Es stehn vor Gottes Throne" is based on Revelation 7:15, "Therefore, are they before the throne of God." Another important passage is Revelation 20:11, "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it." Other references include George Frideric Handel's Messiah closing chorus (Revelation 5:13), "Blessing and honour, glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever."
Source: Cantata BWV 50 - Discussions Part 3 (William L. Hoffman, March 3, 2013) |
