Saturday, December 28, 2024

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 4 - Peter Cornelius: The Three Kings

Peter Cornelius (1824-1874) was a German composer, writer about music, poet and translator. His Weihnachtslieder (Christmas Songs), op. 8 (1856-1870), is a cycle of six songs on Christmas themes with texts written by Cornelius himself. The third song in this song cycle, Die Könige (The Kings ; also translated as Three Kings from Persian lands afar), is about the biblical magi, and it incorporates in the piano accompaniment a hymn by Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608), Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How beautifully the morning star shines).

Die Könige (Three Kings) (English translation by H.N. Bate)

Drei Könige wandern aus Morgenland;
    Three kings from Persian lands afar
Ein Sternlein führt sie zum Jordanstrand.
    to Jordan follow the pointing star:
In Juda fragen und forschen die drei,
    And this the quest of the travellers three,
Wo der neugeborene König sei?
    where the new-born King of the Jews may be.
Sie wollen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold
    Full royal gifts they bear for the King:
Dem Kinde spenden zum Opfersold.
    Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.

Und hell erglänzet des Sternes Schein:
    The star shines out with steadfast ray;
Zum Stalle gehen die Kön’ge ein;
    the kings to Bethlehem make their way,
Das Knäblein schaun sie wonniglich,
    and there in worship they bend the knee,
Anbetend neigen die Könige sich;
    as Mary's child in her lap they see;
Sie bringen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold
    their royal gifts they show to the King:
Zum Opfer dar dem Knäblein hold.
    Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.

O Menschenkind! halte treulich Schritt!
    Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem
Die Kön’ge wandern, o wandre mit!
    the kings are trav'ling, travel with them!
Der Stern der Liebe, der Gnade Stern
    The star of mercy, the star of grace,
Erhelle dein Ziel, so du suchst den Herrn,
    shall lead thy heart to its resting place.
Und fehlen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold,
    Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring:
Schenke dein Herz dem Knäblein hold!
    Offer thy heart to the infant King, offer thy heart!

Die Könige (Three Kings) - TENET Vocal Artists



Die Könige - VOCES8 & Apollo5



Composer Christoph Graupner wrote this work based on Philipp Nicolai's Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How beautifully the morning star shines)


Joseph M. Martin: How Brightly Shines the Morning Star - Bach Choir of Pittsburgh



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