J.S. Bach - Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645 (Dirk Jan Versluis)

"Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (literally: Awake, the voice is calling us) is a Lutheran hymn written in German by Philipp Nicolai, first published in 1599 together with "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern". It appears in German hymnals and in several English hymnals in translations such as "Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying" (Catherine Winkworth, 1858), "Wake, O wake! with tidings thrilling" (Francis Crawford Burkitt, 1906), and "Up! Awake! From Highest Steeple" (George Ratcliffe Woodward, 1908). The hymn is known as the foundation of J.S. Bach's chorale cantata "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme", BWV 140, as well as being the foundation of settings by other composers. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme Der Wächter sehr hoch auf der Zinne, Wach auf, du Stadt Jerusalem! Mitternacht heißt diese Stunde; Sie rufen uns mit hellem Munde: Wo seid ihr klugen Jungfrauen? Wohl auf, der Bräutgam kömmt; Steht auf, die Lampen nehmt! Alleluja! Macht euch bereit Zu der Hochzeit, Ihr müsset ihm entgegen gehn! Wake up, the voice calls us of the watchmen high up on the battlements, wake up, you city of Jerusalem! This hour is called midnight; they call us with a clear voice: where are you, wise virgins ? Get up, the bridegroom comes; Stand up, take your lamps! Hallelujah! Alleluia! Make yourselves ready for the wedding, you must go to meet him! ABOUT THE ARTIST Dirk Jan Versluis (MM, MSc) is both psychologist and musician, to him both being manifestations of soul life. He studied with Jaap Nieuwenhuijse and Gerrit Christiaan de Gier (Gouda), following his studies at the Royal Conservatoire (The Hague) with Jos van der Kooy and masterclasses with a.o. Ton Koopman, Guy Bovet and Daan Manneke. For 10 years he was the chair of a large church music association and he was deployed as church organist since age 12. Dirk Jan participated in projects featuring an organ transcription of Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’ and the complete organ works of Dietrich Buxtehude. Himself, he performed all of Mendelssohns organ sonates, all of Regers Chorale Fantasias (Westerkerk, Amsterdam) and currently he works on an integral performance of J.S. Bach’s organ works. As a psychologist, he developed his own model and method in working with leaders and entrepreneurs on quests related to Leadership and Trauma. ABOUT THE ORGAN The organ of the Gereformeerde Gemeente (Dutch Reformed Congregation) in Gouda was built by the Van Vulpen-brothers in Utrecht (2008-09). It was inspired by the work of the Bätz-brothers some centuries ago (e.g. Lutheran Church, The Hague) and enables the accompaniment of over thousand singers every Sunday. The complete disposition: HOOFDWERK: (C-e3) Prestant 16 (C-Fis: Bourdon 16’) Octaaf 8 Roerfluit 8 Viola 8 (c0) Octaaf 4 Quint 3 Octaaf 2 Mixtuur 4-5 st. Cornet 4 st. Fagot 16 Trompet 8 B/D RUGWERK: (C-e3) Prestant 8 Holpijp 8 Quintadeen 8 Octaaf 4 Fluit 4 Nasard 3 Octaaf 2 Gemshoorn 2 Mixtuur 3 st. Sesquialter 2 st. Dulciaan 8 Tremulant PEDAAL: (C-d1) Prestant 16 Bourdon 16 Octaaf 8 Gedekt 8 (from Bourdon 16’) Octaaf 4 Bazuin 16 Trompet 8 Trompet 4 Koppels:HW+RW B/DP+HWP+RW Special thanks to: Concertstreamsz (Samuel Strijbis) Leo R. Mauritz