Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (The Spirit gives
aid to our weakness), BWV 226, is a motet by Johann
Sebastian Bach, composed in Leipzig in 1729 for the
funeral of Johann Heinrich Ernesti.
Bach himself noted on the score: "J. J. Motetta à doi
Cori bey Beerdigung des seel. Hrn. Prof. und Rectoris
Ernesti di J. S. Bach." (Jesu Juva -- Motet for two
choirs for the funeral for the blessed Rector,
Professor Ernesti, by J. S. Bach). Ernesti was
professor of poetry at Leipzig Universi...(+)
Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (The Spirit gives
aid to our weakness), BWV 226, is a motet by Johann
Sebastian Bach, composed in Leipzig in 1729 for the
funeral of Johann Heinrich Ernesti.
Bach himself noted on the score: "J. J. Motetta à doi
Cori bey Beerdigung des seel. Hrn. Prof. und Rectoris
Ernesti di J. S. Bach." (Jesu Juva -- Motet for two
choirs for the funeral for the blessed Rector,
Professor Ernesti, by J. S. Bach). Ernesti was
professor of poetry at Leipzig University and director
of the Thomasschule. The text is taken from the Epistle
to the Romans (Romans 8:26--27) and Martin Luther's
third stanza to the hymn "Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre
Gott" (1524). Ernesti himself had chosen the text from
the epistle for the funeral sermon. Scholars debate if
the date of the first performance (which took place in
the Paulinerkirche, the university church), was 24
October, or rather 21 October, as indicated by the
title page of the sermon.
"Der aber die Herzen forschet" (He, however, who
examines hearts, He knows what the Spirit's intention
is) is the 2nd motet from the "Der Geist hilft unser
Schwachheit auf " (BWV 226) and although originally
written for two (2) four (4) part choirs (SSAATTBB), I
created this arrangement for Double String Quartet
(Violins, Violas & Cellos).
PARTITION