Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767): 'Mitten wir im Leben sind mit dem Tod umfangen' from cantata TVWV 1:329, Dich rühmen die Welten (Hamburg, 1762)
Solomon's Knot

Recorded in isolation, April 2020
www.solomonsknotcollective.com

This setting of Luther’s chorale ‘Mitten wir im Leben sind’ appears like an oasis in the middle of Telemann’s rarely performed late masterpiece, the cantata ‘Dich rühmen die Welten' for St Michael and All Angels 1762. We’ve chosen to perform it a capella here, to reflect human vulnerability and helplessness in the face of death, which leads many to turn to spirituality.

Mitten wir im Leben sind
Mit dem Tod umfangen.
Wen suchen wir, der Hilfe tu’
Dass wir Gnad’ erlangen?
Das bist du, Herr, alleine.
Uns reuet unsre Missetat
Die dich, Herr, erzürnet hat.
Heiliger Herre Gott,
Heiliger, starker Gott,
Heiliger barmherziger Heiland.
Du ewiger Gott,
Lass uns nicht versinken
In des bittern Todes Not.
Kyrie eleison.
(Martin Luther)


ENGLISH

In the midst of life
We are surrounded with death.
Whom shall we seek to help us
That we may attain mercy?
It is you, God, alone.
We repent of our sin
That has angered you, Lord.
Holy Lord God,
Holy, strong God,
Holy, merciful God.
You, eternal God,
Let us not sink
Into the misery of bitter death.
Lord, have mercy.
(translation: Jonathan Sells)


Solomon's Knot
soprano: Zoë Brookshaw
alto: Kate Symonds Joy, Michał Czerniawski, Nathan Mercieca
tenor: Thomas Herford, Andrew Tortise
bass: Alex Ashworth, Jonathan Sells (artistic director)


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