Bartholomäus Gesius (Hymn-Writer, Composer)

Born: 1555
Died: 1613 (or 1621)

Batholomäus Gesius [Gesaius] was Kantor at Frankfurt an der Oder.

The melody is of German origin and has been ascribed to Gesius, who in 1605 composed a hymn to which this melody was first set, namely, “Mein Seel, o Gott, musz loben dich.” In the Scandinavian countries this melody has been associated with the hymn “Jesu, din Ihukommelse” (Landst. 66), “Jesus, the very thought is sweet” (L. H. 154), “Jesu dulcis memoria”.

Source: BCL Website [Dahle, Library of Christian Hymns]
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (August 2003)

Texts of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

BWV 67 [Melody], BWV 116 [Melody], BWV 414

Chorale Texts used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Uns ist ein Kindlein heut geborn (1601; NLGB 28; KELG 40)

Chorale Melodies used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ

Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn (1601; Zahn 2585)

Jesus Christ, unser Herre (1605; Zahn 5391)

Use of Chorale Melodies in his works

Herr Gott dich loben wir for 5 voices (CM: Herr Gott, dich loben wir [The German Tedeum]; 1598)

Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, 4-pt. setting (CM: Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin; 1601)

4-pt setting of O Welt, ich muß dich lassen (CM: O Welt, ich muß dich lassen)

Links to other Sites

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Handbook - Biographies and Sources (BCL)

Bibliography