Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645

Tomorrow, December 3rd, is Advent Sunday. The First Sunday in Advent is the start of the new liturgical year in the Church.

It is the custom in most cathedrals and collegiate chapels in England to sing a special "carol service" on this day, in the form of a great "procession" for Advent.

The two most famous of the English collegiate choirs are those at King's College, Cambridge, and St. John's College, Cambridge.

While the Brahms choral just uploaded serves as the prelude at King's, this, one of Bach's most famous and "favored" works is the first of the Schübler Chorales, which were published in 1757 or early 1758.

The text translates as: "Sleepers, wake! a voice is calling".

This performance uses the 8' 4' & 2' "flutes" of the Hoofdwerk for the "obligato, while the chorale is played upon the Trompet of the Rugwerk.

I tried to hit a tempo that is stately and the preserves the delicacy and grace of Zion's daughters dancing for joy at the arrival of the Bridegroom.

The title page of the original publication is attached below.

MUCH more Advent and Christmas music to follow! :-)