Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf, BWV 226 (Johann Sebastian Bach)

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• (Posted 2020-06-03)  CPDL #59008:     

Editor: Gary D. Cannon (submitted 2020-06-03).   Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 82 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Instrumental part for continuo cello

• (Posted 2020-06-03)  CPDL #59007:    

Editor: Gary D. Cannon (submitted 2020-06-03).   Score information: Letter, 28 pages, 263 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Identical to CPDL #59004, but in larger type, and transposed to A major, so to aid singers with perfect pitch when singing at Baroque pitch.

• (Posted 2020-06-03)  CPDL #59006:     

Editor: Gary D. Cannon (submitted 2020-06-03).   Score information: Letter, 16 pages, 248 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Identical to CPDL #59004, but transposed to A major, so to aid singers with perfect pitch when singing at Baroque pitch.

• (Posted 2020-06-03)  CPDL #59005:     

Editor: Gary D. Cannon (submitted 2020-06-03).   Score information: Letter, 28 pages, 261 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Identical to CPDL# 59004, but in larger print.

• (Posted 2020-06-03)  CPDL #59004:     

Editor: Gary D. Cannon (submitted 2020-06-03).   Score information: Letter, 16 pages, 246 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

• (Posted 2001-02-06)  CPDL #02054:      (Finale 2002)

Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2001-02-06).   Score information: A4, 20 pages, 487 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Updated 2016-11-03. Score error fixed.

Chorale only

• (Posted 2001-05-04)  CPDL #02555: 

Editor: Arno Rog (submitted 2001-05-04).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 34 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Du heilige Brunst replaced with verse 1 Komm, heiliger Geist. File recovered using the WayBackMachine of http://archive.org

General Information

Title: Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Text source: Romans 8:26-27 & stanza 3 of Luther's 'Komm, heiliger Geist'

Number of voices: 8vv   Voicing: SATB.SATB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: German
Instruments: A cappella (Bach also prepared parts for colla parte strings and oboes/bassoon with basso continuo)

First published: 1892 in Bach’s Werke, Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe 39
Opus: BWV 226, 3 movements
Description: There is some controversy on whether the concluding chorale was intended as part of the same composition (see Melamed in Cambridge Bach Companion)

External websites:

• Free choir training aids for this work are available at Choralia.

Original text and translations

German text Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, denn wir wissen nicht, was wir beten sollen, wie sich’s gebühret; sondern der Geist selbst vertritt uns aufs beste mit unaussprechlichem Seufzen. Coro I.II Der aber die Herzen forschet, der weiß, was des Geistes Sinn sei; denn er vertritt die Heiligen nach dem, das Gott gefället. Choral Du heilige Brunst, süßer Trost, nun hilf uns, fröhlich und getrost in deinem Dienst beständig bleiben, die Trübsal uns nicht abtreiben. O Herr, durch dein Kraft uns bereit und stärk des Fleisches Blödigkeit, daß wir hie ritterlich ringen, durch Tod und Leben zu dir dringen. Halleluja.

French translation L'esprit vient en aide à notre faiblesse, car nous ne savons pas ce qu'il nous convient de demander dans nos prières. Mais l'esprit lui-même intercède pour nous par des soupirs ineffables. Coro I+II Mais celui qui scrute les coeurs sait quelle est la pensée de l'esprit. Car c'est selon Dieu qu'il intercède en faveur des Saints. Choral O sainte ferveur, doux réconfort, aide-nous à demeurer avec joie et confiance constamment à ton service, à ne pas nous laisser détourner de toi par l'affliction! O Seigneur, prépare-nous par ta force à affermir la faiblesse de la chair, afin que nous luttions vaillamment ici-bas, à travers la mort et la vie, pour parvenir à toi. Alleluia!