Please turn to number 98 (Second Tune) and join with the clarinets in “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands”.
Number: 98 (Second Tune)
First Line: Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
Name: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN.
Meter: 8 7, 8 7, 7 8, 7 4.
Tempo: Majestically
Music: Geistliches Gesangbuchlein, Wittenberg, 1524
Harm. J. S. Bach, 1685-1750
Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Based on the Sequence Victimae Paschali
Tr. Richard Massie, 1800-87
Clarinet Arrangement: 098b-ChristJesusLayInDeathsStrongBands
Whew! That J.S. Bach sure likes to make you work for it, especially if you’re a Tenor or a Bass! This is definitely one of the most complex hymns I’ve run across so far.
So from the last version we know:
One of the earliest and best-known Lutheran chorales, CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN is a magnificent tune in rounded bar form (AABA) with vigor and lightness characteristic of Easter carols. Many organ compositions are based on this tune; Johann S. Bach (PHH 7) incorporated it extensively in his cantatas 4 and 158.
Presumably this hymn is based on some section of J.S. Bach’s Cantata 4 or 158.
I skipped the “Hymnprovisation”, as just getting this arrangement of “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” close to what is written was enough work to keep me busy for a couple days.
