Ref.

BWV deest (No BWV no), BC C8

Latin Text

Motetto a 5 voci Tristis est anima mea

English Title

My soul is sorrowful even to death

German Title

Der Gerechte kömmt um

English Title

See, the righteous must die

French Title

Le juste périt

El justo perece

Event

Memorial Motet

Composed

Composed by Johann Kuhnau
Based on his Latin motet Tristis est anima mea
Included, alongside movements by Georg Philipp Telemann and J.S. in a patchwork Passiontide cantata assembled by Carl Heinrich Graun c1740; it is possible that the arrangement (possibly by Johann Kuhnau himself) was already made before the incorporation.
J.S. Bach modified some of the passages in the music, and wrote obbligato instrumental accompaniment to reinforce the text.
Performed by J.S. Bach in Leipzig, c1730-35 ?

Text

Tristis est anima mea: Matthäus 26: 38
Der Gerechte kömmt um: Isaiah 57: 1-2

Text: German-5
Translations: Dutch-0 | Hungarian-2 | Italian-2

Scoring

Soloists: SSATB (5-part) Chorus (a-capella)
Orchestra originally: organ
Orchestra in the arrangement: 2 oboes, strings, continuo

Score

References

BGA: | NBA: I/41 | BC: C8 | First Published:

Commentary

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

1

Rudolf Mauersberger und de Dresdenr Kreuzchor [P-2]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea [4:19]

Rudolf Mauersberger

Dresdner Kreuzchor

-

EBS 6073

1957

CD / TT:

2

Thomas-Kantoren -Organsten - Kantors and organists at St Thomas, Leipzig [P-1]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea [6:12]

Hans Thamm

Windsbacher Knabenchor

-

Cantate 57619

1967

CD / TT: 72:41

Recorded in Münster zu Heilsbronn/Mittelfranken.
Buy this album at: Amazon.de

3

Motetten Alter Meister [P-1]
Motetten Alter Meister [P-1]
Dresdner Kreuzchor: Legendary [Box Set] [P-1]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea [4:25]

Conductor: Rudolf Mauersberger; Musical Assistant: Wolfgang Ebersbach

Dresdner Kreuzchor

-

Eterna 825 859
Berlin Classics 91962
Berlin Classics 8392

Jun 23-26, 1969

LP / TT:
CD / TT: 52:58
10-CD / TT: 572:48

Recorded at Lukaskirche, Dresden, Saxony, Germany.
Recording Manager: Reimar Bluth; Sound Control: Claus Strüben.
Buy this album at:
CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

4

Bach Kantaten, Vol. 2: BWV 26, BWV 62, BWV 191 [D-2]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um [5:58]

Diethard Hellmann

Bachchor und Bachorchester Mainz

Fred Schweinfurter (Oboe); Hans Bogacki (Oboe); Günther Schuldt (Bassoon); Martha Schuster (Organ)

DdM-Records 980016

Late 1960’s ? (P 1998)

CD / TT: 55:01

Recorded by SWF at Christuskirche, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

5

Palestrina/Bach: Missa sine nomine, Kuhnau, Pezel, Reiche [C-1]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea []

Bruce Dickey (Cornett & Direction)

Small Choir / Concerto Palatino

Sopranos: Barbara Borden, Suzie LeBlanc, Emily Van Evera; Counter-tenor: David Cordier, Tenors: Rogers Covey-Crump, Harry Geraerts, Douglas Nasrawi, John Potter, Mark Howard, Ian Honeyman; Basses: Geert Smits, Kees Jan de Koning, Harry van der Kamp

EMI Classics 54555

Jun 1992

CD / TT: 60:31

6

Sacred Music by Johann Kuhnau [P-1]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea [4:50]

Robert King

The King’s Consort

-

Hyperion 67059

Apr 19-22, 1998

CD / TT: 74:45

Recorded at St Jude-on-th-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, England.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

7

Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt [C-1]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea []

Hannelore Höft (Conductor, Organ)

Philipp-Nicolai-Kantorei Unna

-

Unnaer Abendmusiken

1999

CD / TT:

Recorded at Ev. Stadtkirche Unna, Germany.
Buy this album at: Unnaer Abendmusiken

8

Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt: 4-8stimmige Motetten [P-1]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea [4:35]

Berthold Höps

Amberger Chorgemeinschaft

-

Amberger Chorgemeinschaft

2000

CD / TT:

Source: Amberger Chorgemeinschaft

9

Schütz: Johannes-Passion; Theile: Matthäus-Passion [P-1]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea [4:09]

Otto Kargl

Capella Nova Graz

-

ORF 361

May 2002

2-CD / TT: 139:08

Recorded at Pfarrkirche Maria Hilf, Graz, Austria.

10

Duke Vespers Ensemble Concert - The Leipzig Legacy: Bach and His Predecessors 10/25/13 [C-1]

23:30: Johann Kuhnau: Tristis est anima mea [8:00]

Brian A. Schmidt

Duke Vespers Ensemble / Cappella Baroque Players

Vocal Soloists (all chorus members)

YouTube

Oct 25, 2013

Video / TT:

Recorded & filmed live at Goodson Chapel Goodson Chapel | Duke University Chapel, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Watch on YouTube:
Complete Concert [84:33]

11

Bach: Matthäus-Passion, BWV 244 | Raphaël Pichon & Ensemble Pygmalion [VV-1]

00:02:03: J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea [4:56]

Raphaël Pichon

Ensemble Pygmalion

Choir: Soprano I: Anne-Emmanuelle Davy, Sabine Devieilhe, Perrine Devillers, Alice Foccroulle, Armelle Froeliger; Soprano II: Anne-Marie Beaudette, Maïlys de Villoutreys, Ellen Giacone, Marie-Frédérique Girod, Violaine Le Chenadec, Marie Planinsek; Alto I: Corinne Bahuaud, Philippe Barth, Damien Guillon; Alto II: Myriam Arbouz, Lucile Richardot, Guilhem Terrail; Tenors I: Samuel Boden, Olivier Coiffet, Davy Cornillot; Tenors II: Guillaume Gutiérrez, Thomas Hobbs, Randol Rodriguez; Basses I: Etienne Bazola, Renaud Bres, Geoffroy Buffière, Jean-Michel Durang; Basses II: Virgile Ancely, Nicolas Boulanger, Geoffroy Heurard, Christian Immler
Continuo: Violoncello: Emilia Gliozzi; Double-bass: Thomas de Pierrefeu; Organ, Harpsichord: Sébastien Daucé, Arnaud de Pasquale; Lute: Thomas Dunford

YouTube

Mar 6, 2016

Video / TT: 175:19

Recorded & filmed live at Chapelle Royale du Château de Versailles (Versailles, Frankreich), France.
Other concerets: March 22, 2016 at Opéra de Dijon; March 24 at Philharmonie de Cologne; March 25 & 26 at Chapelle Royale, Versailles; March 29 & 30 at Auditorium de Bordeaux. Broadcast on Culturebox (available until 27/09/2016).
Source:: Medici.tv
Watch on YouTube:
Complete Concert [175:19]

12

Bach: Matthäus passion, sacred oratorio, BWV 244 | Raphaël Pichon & Ensemble Pygmalion [VV-2]

00:00:00: J. Kuhnau: Motet Tristis est anima mea [4:55]

Raphaël Pichon

Ensemble Pygmalion

Choir: Sopranos 1: Anne-Emmanuelle Davy, Sabine Devieilhe, Perrine Devillers
Sopranos 2: Anne-Marie Beaudette, Armelle Froeliger, Marie-Frédérique Girod, Violaine Le Chenadec, Marie Planinsek
Altos 1: Philippe Barth, Damien Guillon, Marie Pouchelon
Altos 2: Myriam Arbouz, Lucile Richardot, Guilhem Terrail
Tenors 1: Samuel Boden, Olivier Coiffet, Davy Cornillot
Tenors 2: Guillaume Gutiérrez, Thomas Hobbs, Randol Rodriguez
Basses 1: Etienne Bazola, Renaud Bres, Geoffroy Buffière
Basses 2: Virgile Ancely, Nicolas Boulanger, Geoffroy Heurard, Christian Immler
La Maîtrise de Paris (Professor Edwidge Parat; Musical Direction: Patrick Marco): Diane Belleval, Lola La Rocca, Tanguy Landrieu, Chiara Ceccarelli, Tianée Achille, Aliya Davenne, Louise Van den Holle
Continuo: Violoncello: Emilia Gliozzi; Double-bass: Thomas de Pierrefeu; Organ & Harpsichord: Sébastien Daucé, Arnaud de Pasquale; Lute: Thomas Dunford
Orchestra 1: Violins 1: Sophie Gent, Louis Créac’h, Béatrice Linon; Violins 2: Gabriel Grosbard, Yoko Kawakubo, Satomi Watanabe; Violas: Jérôme Van Waerbeke, Marta Paramo; Viola da gamba: Julien Léonard; Violoncello: Emilia Gliozzi; Double-bass: Thomas de Pierrefeu; Bassoon: Augustin Humeau; Oboe 1: Jasu Moisio; Oboe 2: Lidewei de Sterck; Flute 1: Georgia Browne; Flute 2: Anne Thivierge; Organ: Sébastien Daucé; Lute:Thomas Dunford
Orchestra 2: Violins 1: Cecilia Bernardini, Sandrine Dupé, Katya Polin; Violins 2: Varoujan Doneyan, Cyrielle Eberhardt, David Wish; Violas: Josèphe Cottet, Pierre Vallet; Violoncellos: Antoine Touche, Gulrim Choi; Double-bass: Elise Christiaens; Bassoon: Evolène Kiener; Oboe 1: Shai Kribus; Oboe 2: Timothée Oudinot; Flute 1: Jean Bregnac; Flute 2: Morgane Eouzan; Organ, Harpsichord: Arnaud de Pasquale; Cornetts: Lambert Colson, Emmanuele Mure

YouTube

Mar 26, 2016

Video / TT: 171:22

Recorded & filmed live at Chapelle Royale du Château de Versailles (Versailles, Frankreich), France.
Watch on YouTube:
Matthäus-Passion BWV 244: Complete Concert [171:22]

1

J.S. Bach: Magnificat; Vivaldi: Nisi Dominos · Nulla in mundo pax sincera [V-1]

J. Kuhnau: Motet Der Gerechte kommt um [5:32]

Simon Preston

Choir of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford / Academy of Ancient Music

-

L'Oiseau Lyre 443199

1978

CD / TT: 76:19

Recorded at St Jude's, Hampstead, London, England.
Buy this album at:
CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Downolad: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

2

J.S. Bach: Motets BWV 225-231; Cantatas BWV 50 & 118 [E-1]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um [6:56]

John Eliot Gardiner

Monteverdi Choir / English Baroque Soloists

EBS: Violins: Nona Liddell, Simon Standage, Michaela Comberti, Roy Goodman, Elizabeth Wilcock, Desmond Heath, Julie Miller; Violas: Trevor Jones, Katharine Hart, Annette Isserlis; Violoncellos: Mark Caudle, Timothy Mason; Double-bass: Valerie Botwright; Oboes: Sophia McKenna, David Reichenberg; Taille/Oboe da caccia: Ku Ebbinge; Bassoons: Jeremy Ward, Alastair Mitchell; Organ: Stephen Cleobury

Erato STU-71337 (Fr)
Erato ZL-30763 (Ge)
Erato MCE-71337
Erato ECD-88117
Erato 2292-45979-2

Mar 2-5 & Apr 9-10, 1980

2-LP / TT:
2-LP / TT:
2-MC / TT:
2-CD / TT: 115:57
2-CD / TT: 115:57

Recorded at All Saints Church, Tooting, London, England.
Sound Engineer: Yolanta Skura.
Buy this album at:
2-CD (1982): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
2-CD (1993): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

3

Bach: Motet / Cantate BWV 118 O Jesu Christ, mein's Lebens Licht; Bach (?): Furcht und Zittern; Kuhnau/Bach: Der Gerechte kommt um - De Nieuwe Stad Amsterdam 1985 [C-1]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um [6:44]

Jan Stulp

Koor en Orkest De Nieuwe Stad

-

YouTube

Nov 30, 1985

Video / TT:

Recorded & filmed live at De Nieuwe Stad, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Watch on YouTube: J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kommt um Complete Work [6:44]

4

Bach · Telemann · Graun · Altnikol: Passions-Pasticcio · Kantate BWV 127 [C-2]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kommt um [4:23]
(Mvt. 39 in C.H. Graun: Passions-Pasticcio)

Hermann Max

Rheinische Kantorei / Das Kleine Konzert

-

EMI Classics 54244

Jan 7-10, 1990

2-CD / TT: 123:29

Recorded at Evang. Kirche Lohmar-Honrath, Germany.
Buy this album at:

5

Edition Bachakademie Vol. 69 - Motets [CD] [V-2]
J.S. Bach: Die Motetten [DVD] [V-2]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kommt um [4:47]

Helmuth Rilling

Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Bach-Collegium Stuttgart

-

Hänssler 92.069 [CD]
ArtHaus [DVD]

Sep-Oct 1990

2-CD / TT: 92:08
DVD / TT:

Recorded at Stiftskirche Kaufungen, Germany.
Buy this album at:
2-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon.de
DVD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

6

Motets by the Bach Dynasty - A Bach dinasztia motettái [V-1]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kommt um [5:16]

Salamon Kamp

Debreceni Kodály Kórus / Debrecen Bach Collegium

Dezsõ Karasszon (Organ)

Hungaroton 31549

1992

CD / TT: 74:02

Recorded at the assembly hall of Déri Museum, Debrecen, Hungary.
Buy this album at:
CD: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

7

J.S. Bach: Passionsmusik [RC-4]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um, BWV deest []

Hans-Christoph Rademann

Kammerchor der Singakademie Dresden / Sinfonietta Dresden

-

Dresden

1997

MC / TT:

Recorded in Dresden, Saxony, Germany. Released 1998.
Copies: Zentralbibliothek-Mediathek Archiv Fon-TKA-B(TKD-C 425) | Zentralbibliothek-Mediathek Archiv Fon-TKD-C 425.
Source: SLUB Dresden

8

J.S. Bach: Cantates BWV 106 - 4 · Motet Der Gerechte kommt um [C-1]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um [6:40]

Jean-François Frémont

Petits Chanteurs de Versailles / Sinfonie Saint-Julien

Tenor: Christophe Einhorn; Baritone: Jean-Louis Serre

Memory Song

Nov 1993; Mar 1994

CD / TT: 46:40

Recorded in Versailles, France.

9

“Gloria in excelsis Deo” - 75 Jahre Leipziger Universitätschor [V-1]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Der Gerechte kömmt um BWV deest []

Wolfgang Unger

Leipziger Universitätschor

-

LUC

1993

2-CD / TT: 75:28 + 73:53

Recorded at Gewandhaus, Leipzig, Germany.
Buy this album at:

10

Motetten II (Bach und seine Nachfolger im Amt des Thomaskantors) [CD] [V-2]
J.S. Bach: Die Motetten Vol. 1+2 [2-CD] [V-2]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kommt um [5:35]

Georg Christoph Biller

Thomanerchor Leipzig / Capella Thomana & Baroque Brass of London

-

Philips 462233
Philips

Feb 1997

CD / TT: 51:55
2-CD / TT:

Recorded at Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche, Leipzig-Gonnewitz, Germany.
Buy this album at: Amazon.de [CD] | Amazon.de [2-CD]

11

Bach Cantatas Vol. 4: Ansbach/Haddinton
For the 6^th Sunday after Trinity
For the 7^th Sunday after Trinity

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um [7:47]

John Eliot Gardiner

Monteverdi Choir / English Baroque Soloists

-

Soli Deo Gloria 156

Jul 30, 2000

2-CD / TT: 53:48 + 66:52

Live recordings from the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, at St Grumbertus, Ansbach, Germany.
Buy this album at:
2-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download: ClassicsOnline

12

Bach Fest 2000 Tokio [V-14]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um []

Georg Christoph Biller

Tokyo Bach Cantata Ensemble

-

Yokohama Choral Society

Aug 6, 2000

2-CD / TT:

Recorded live in at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space Large Hall, Tokyo, Japan, in a celebration 250 Anniversary of J.S. Bach's death & 30 Anniversary of Yokohama Choral Society.

13

J.S. Bach: Die Motetten (The Motets and Related Works) [C-1]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kommt um [5:02]

Jörg Straube

Norddeutscher Figuralchor / Baroque Brass of London, Bach Orchestra-Hannover

-

Thorofon 2481/2

2003

2-CD / TT: 131:56

14

J.S. Bach: Messen BWV 234 & 235 (Missae Brevis, Vol. I) [V-1]
J.S. Bach: Missæ Breves BWV 232-236: Complete Recordings [B-1]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um [6:23]

Raphaël Pichon

Ensemble Pygmalion

Soprano: Eugénie Warnier; Alto: Magid El-Bushra; Tenor: Emiliano Gonzalez-Toro; Baritone: Sydney Fierro
Choir: Sopranos: Myriam Arbouz, Mathilde Bobot, Adèle Carlier, Judith Fa, Alice Glaie, Juliette Perret, Charlotte Plasse; Altos: Thierry Clementz, Raphaël Mas, Marie Pouchelon, Marie Sarlin; Tenors: Patrick Boileau, Didier Chassaing, Jean-Baptiste de Ereño, Emmanuel Richard; Basses: Laurent Bourdeaux, Antoine Chauveau, Jean-Michel Durang, Vincent Manac'h, Michel Ohayon
Orchestra: Premiere Violin: Gabriel Grosbard; Violins 1: Paula Waisman, Matthieu Camilleri; Violins 2: Camille Antoinet, Sandrine Dupé, Katherine Goodbehere; Violas: Jérôme Van Waerbeke, Tiphaine Coquempot; Tenor & Bass Viols: Julien Léonard & Myriam Rignol; Violoncellos: Jérôme Huille; Double-bass: Thomas de Pierrefeu; Premiere Oboe: Emmanuel Laporte; Oboe: Tereza Pavelkova; Bassoon: Evolène Kiener; Transverse Flutes: Anne Thivierge & Itay Jedlin; Harpsichord: Arnaud de Pasquale; Organ: Sébastien Daucé [Quentin Blumenroeder]

Alpha Productions 130
=
Alpha Classics 302
=
Alpha 816
=

Oct 27-31, 2007

CD / TT: 61:39
MP3 / TT: 61:30
CD / TT: 61:39
MP3 / TT: 61:30
3-CD: 179:36
MP3 / TT: 173:26

Recorded at Temple du Saint-Esprit, Paris, France.
Artistic Director: Aline Blondiau; Sound Engineer & Editing: Hugues Deschaux.
Buy this album at:
CD-1 (2008): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ArkivMusic
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | iTunes
CD-2 (2015): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download: Amazon.com | iTunes
3-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
3-CD (2013): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ArkivMusic
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | iTunes

15

Full Concert: "St John Passion" / "Johannespassion" after/nach J.S. Bach [F2020-V1] [V-4]
Johannes-Passion à trois 2.0 – Extended Version (Bach Marathon, Tag/Day 2) [F2020-V1] [V-4]

00:52: Anon: Motet Tristis est anima mea for 4 voices & continuo, once attributed to J. Kuhnau [5:13]

Thomaskantor Gotthold Schwarz

Chorales sung with Bach choirs around the world-

Motets: Sopranos: Isabel Meyer-Kalis, Julia Sophie Wagner; Counter-tenor: David Erler; Tenor: Wolfram Lattke; Bass: Thomaskantor Gotthold Schwarz
Hartmut Becker (Violoncello); Mechthild Winter (Organ)

Bach-Archiv Leipzig

Apr 10, 2020

Video / TT: 90:49

Recorded & filmed live at Thomaskirche, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany.
Idea & production: Steven Walter / PODIUM Esslingen; Concept: Benedikt Kristjánsson; Musical arrangement: Philipp Lamprecht, Elina Albach, Benedikt Kristjánsson; Production Easter 2020: Bachfest Leipzig.
(c) Bachfest Leipzig / MDR 2020. Booklet (Carus-Verlag).
This concept was in 2019 awarded the Opus Klassik Prize »Innovative concert of the year«.
Watch on YouTube:
Johannes-Passion BWV 245: Complete Work [90:49] | Extended Version [90:32]

16

Bach's motet "Der Gerechte kommt um": How I found a musical gem (part 1 of Tea Time); Why this musical gem is so beautiful (part 2 of Tea Time); How this musical gem sounds (part 3 of Tea Time) [TV-1]

J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um, transcribed for piano [23:12]

Gabriel Hollander (Piano)

YouTube

Part 1: May 12, 2020
Part 2: May 24, 2020
Part 3: Jul 9, 2020

Video / TT: 23:12

Recorded & filmed in Brussels, Belgium.
Watch on YouTube:
Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um: Part 1 [5:15] + Part 2 [8:01] + Part 3 [9:56] | Sequence [3 Tracks; 23:12]

17

S.C. Bach presents: SC Bach Choir & NC Baroque Orchestra in concert | May 20, 2022 | Greenville, SC [CV-6]

01:20-09:56: J. Kuhnau/J.S. Bach: Motet Der Gerechte kömmt um, BWV 1149 [8:36]

David Rhyne

South Carolina Bach Choir / North Carolina Baroque Orchestra​

BWV 54: Alto: Andrew Rader
BWV 1043: David Wilson & Janelle Davis (Violins)
BWV 79: Soprano: Tish Oney; Alto: Andrew Rader; Bass: Arlen Clarke

YouTube

May 20, 2022

Video / TT: 57:12

Recorded & filmed live at First Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina, USA.
Video & audio recording, mixing, and editing: Aigner Recording.
Watch on YouTube:
Full Concert [57:12]

The list of recordings was compiled by Aryeh Oron (December 2008 - June 2022)
Thanks to contributors: Niels Brandt (May 2020); Matthias Hansen (May 2014); Frits V. Herbold (April 2012); Jerome F. Weber (February 2020)