Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works
Gott des Himmels und der Erden

Melody & Text | Use of the CM by Bach | Use of the CM by other composers

Melody & Text:

The melody, “Gott des Himmels und der Erden,” was composed by Heinrich Albert, or Alberti, for the Hymn, of whose words also he was the author. He was born at Lobenstein in 1604, and in 1631 became organist of Konigsberg Cathedral. He died at Konigsberg in 1651. He published in eight Parts his Arien oder Melodeyen Etlicher theils Geistlicher theils Weltlicher (Konigsberg, 1638-1650). The Hymn “Gott des Himmels und der Erden” was first published in Part v. of that collection in 1642. For all but the last two bars (which are closer to the Darmstadt Cantional of 1687). J.S. Bach gives the tune (with modifications necessitated by the rhythm of the words) as it appears in Daniel Vetter’s Leipzig Hymn-Book (1713).
J.S. Bach has not used the melody elsewhere.
Source: Charles Sanford Terry: Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 1 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the “Passions” and Oratorios [1915], p 62

Melody: Zahn 3614a
Composer: Heinrich Albert (1642)

Text: Ihr Gestirn, ihr hohlen Lüfte
Author: Johann Franck (1655)

Hymnal versions Bach may have known:

Use of the Chorale Melody by Bach:

Text: Ihr Gestirn, ihr hohlen Lüfte

Chorale Zwar ist solche Herzensstube (Mvt. 11 (53)) from Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 (verse 9)
Ref: Riemenschneider 35; Breitkopf 34; Birnstiel 39; Dietel 147; AmB 46II p.194; Levy–Mendelssohn 71; Fasch p.133

The words of the Choral are the 9 stanza of Johann Franck’s Morning Hymn, “Ihr Gestirn, ihr hohlen Lüfte.” J. Franck was born at Guben in 1618, educated at Konigsberg, became a lawyer, Burgomaster of Guben, and its representative in the Landtag of Lower Lusatia. He died in 1677. His hymns, 110 in number, were collected in his Geistliches Sion (Guben, 1674).
Form. Simple (2 Ob. d’amore, Strings, Organ, and Continuo).
Source: Charles Sanford Terry: Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 1 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the “Passions” and Oratorios [1915], p 62

Use of the Chorale Melody by other composers:

Sources: Bach Digital; BGA; Zahn; BCML discussions on BCW; Charles Sanford Terry's Bach Chorals books
Photos from Gottfried Vopelius Neu Leipziger Gesangbuch (Vopelius 1682), were taken from a digital copy of the book downloaded from Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München. This copy is Out of copyright - non commercial re-use (Europeana Rights).
Prepared by Aryeh Oron (October 2018)