Bach, JS :: Sleepers, Wake: Arie 6

Musicians Publications presents J.S. Bach's Sleepers, Wake: Arie 6 arranged for flexible woodwind quartet by Carson Rothrock. Scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, this flexible quartet also includes an optional bass clarinet part to replace the bassoon when necessary. This arrangement is intermediate-advanced in difficulty.

Program notes by the arranger: The 'Arie' I have arranged for woodwind quartet is from the famous cantata by J.S. Bach known as Sleepers, Wake! It is the sixth section of Cantata No. 104. Sleepers, Wake is a good translation of the title ( Wachet Auf, Uns Ruft Die Stimme). Literally translated it means: wake up, the voice is calling us.

I have used a source that is said to be based on the Bach-Gesellshaft edition. There are no tempo markings and few articulations. The Arie is the sixth movement of the cantata. The third movement is also an Arie and also a duet for soprano and bass. The obligato of No. 6 is divided between oboe and violin.

The beginning, middle, and ending movements are chorales, settings of Phillip Nicolai s famous hymn. His words refer to the gospel of the day likening Christ to a bridegroom. The watchman exhorts the city of Jerusalem to prepare because the voice is calling at midnight. The chorale (movement 4) exhorts all to follow Jesus, God's son, to the place of the evening meal.

The Arie No. 6 could have been used at weddings because of the words promising faithfulness to God on the part of the groom and faithfulness to the husband on the part of the bride. - Carson Rothrock, 2007