Passions (Telemann)


Between 1716 and 1767, Georg Philipp Telemann wrote a series of Passions, musical compositions reflecting on Christ's Passion – the physical, spiritual and mental suffering of Jesus from the hours prior to his trial through to his crucifixion. The works were written for performance in German churches in the days before Easter. A prolific composer, Telemann wrote over 40 Passions for the churches of Hamburg alone, of which 22 have survived according to the present state of research. He also wrote several Passion oratorios. Unlike the Passions intended for liturgical performance, they were not closely set to the literal text of the Gospels.

History

In his dissertation "The Rise of Lyricism and the Decline of Biblical Narration in the Late Liturgical Passions of Georg Philipp Telemann", Jason Benjamin Grant describes the three basic periods of Telemann's Passion composition as follows:

Style

Stylistically, there are many differences between these works by Telemann and Johann Sebastian Bach's Passions, there are however more similarities with the Passions of C.P.E. Bach. The Telemann Passions were not written for and used in the context of a separate Good Friday Vespers liturgical service, but rather in the regular church services for the five main churches in Hamburg for the Sundays of Lent. In deference to Ulrich Leisinger, who states in the Passions Preface in the Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Complete Works edition: and quotes pages 656–657 of the 4th Vorrath of Johann Mattheson's Plus Ultra, ein Stückwerk von neuer und mancherley Art. Hamburg never really adapted the bipartite division of Passion settings. What had changed was that after 1736, the narration of the Last Supper and the Entombment were eliminated. These Hamburg Passions were whole entities performed in succession. Unlike those in Leipzig, where the division before and after the Sermon was retained. The other issue with Leising's statement is that he quotes from a volume by Mattheson that is now lost.
Another element that is different between Telemann's and Sebastian Bach's works is viewpoint. Telemann was not a "preacher" like Bach was, although he did have a theological background and education. Telemann's viewpoint was that of the Enlightenment, which placed less emphasis on Christ's divinity and more on his humanity. They emphasize less Christ as the revelation of God's will for the world and revelation of prophecy and divine grace, less Christ the Word incarnate, less Christ the Lamb of God, and more Christ the man, the healer, the sufferer. In opposition to this is Bach the Fifth Evangelist, Bach the Mystic, Bach the Orthodox Lutheran. One way that this difference is evidenced is the way Telemann and Sebastian Bach approach the word of Scripture. Bach does not alter one iota of the scriptural word, he writes the words of
Scripture in red ink, and generally his whole attitude is that Scripture is supreme. In opposition to this is Telemann, who treats Scripture in his own manner. He does not hold it as sacred.
Finally, Telemann employs a more lyric style than Bach does. While there are places in Bach's Passions where he does employ more flourishes in the recitatives, these are usually few and far between. Bach usually uses a word-and-music form where the music is made to fit the words. Telemann, however, fits the words to the music that he writes, to the extent that many parts of recitatives are either elongated or repeated verbatim.

Passion oratorios

Telemann wrote 6 Passion Oratorios.
His 1716 Passion oratorio Der für die Sünde der Welt gemarterte Jesus, used a poetic meditation on the passion story by Barthold Heinrich Brockes. Telemann himself wrote the text for his second Passion oratorio, Seliges Erwägen des bittern Leidens und Sterbens Jesu Christi, which was one of the most beloved and frequently performed Passions in eighteenth-century Germany.
YearTWV NumberGeneric NameTitleLibrettistScoringNotes
1716, rev. 1722TWV 5:1Der für die Sünde der Welt gemarterte und sterbende Jesus aus den IV. Evangelisten Mich vom Stricke meiner SündenBarthold Heinrich BrockesSSSAATTBBB with 3 transverse flutes, recorder, 2 oboes, bassoon, Strings, violetta, and continuo
Barfüßerkirche Frankfurt/Main, 10 April 1716; repeated during Lent in 1717 or 1718 in Hamburg or Augsburg, on 26 March 1717 at the Neukirche Leipzig, 4 April 1719 at the Reventher Dom Hamburg, 21 March 1720 at the Hamburger Drillhaus, 60 movements in a Pastiche performed on 22, 26, 28, and 30 March 1722, Lenten Season 1723 in Hamburg, included in a series of performances of all four known settings over four evenings in 1719, 1722, 1723, and 1730, and 27 March 1739 at the Nikolaikirche Leipzig ; Modern edition ; Recorded — McGegan 1994, Jacobs 2009
1722, perf. 1728TWV 5:2aPaßions-Oratorium: Seliges Erwägen des Leidens und Sterbens Jesu ChristiSchmücke dich, o liebe SeeleGeorg Philipp TelemannSATB with transverse flute, 2 oboes, Strings, and continuoHamburg version, composed Frankfurt/Main 1722, revised and performed first Hamburg Lent 1728; Modern edition
1731TWV 5:3Die Bekerung des römischen Hauptmanns CorneliusMach dich auf, werde Licht!A. J. Zell****Lost; Perf. Drillhaus Hamburg, 9 March 1731
1731TWV 5:4Die Kreutzigte Liebe oder Tränen über das Leiden und Sterben unseres HeilandesNicht das Band, das dich bestricketJohann Ulrich von KönigSATB with 2 transverse flutes, chalumeau, Oboe d'Amore, 2 Oboes, Strings, Violetta, and continuoPerf. Drillhaus Hamburg, 9 March 1731; Recorded — Scholl 2004
1755TWV 5:5Betrachtung der 9. Stunde an dem Todestage JesuErhole dich, o SonneJoachim Johann Daniel ZimmermannATB with 2 transverse flutes, Bass Oboe, 2 Horns, Strings, and continuoperf. Lent 1755; Modern edition ; Recorded — Max 1997
1755TWV 5:6Der Tod Jesu Du, dessen Augen flossenKarl Wilhelm RamlerSAATBB with 2 transverse flutes, 2 recorders, 2 Oboes, Oboe d'Amore, Bass Oboe, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 2 Horns, Trumpet, Trombone, Strings, and continuoPerf. Lent 1755; Modern edition ; Recorded — Heyerick 1995, Rémy 2000, Schwarz 2012
1763TWV 5:2Paßions-Oratorium: Seliges Erwägen des Leidens und Sterbens Jesu ChristiSchmücke dich, o liebe SeeleGeorg Philipp TelemannSATB with 2 oboes, 2 chalumeaux, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, Strings and continuocomposed and performed Berlin, 3 April 1763; Modern edition by Johannes Pausch and Bärenreiter; Recorded - Schäfer 2001

Hamburg and Danzig liturgical Passions

Note that this list may be incomplete
EventLocale
Quadragesima SundaySt. Peter's Church, Hamburg
Reminiscere SundaySt. Nikolai, Hamburg
Laetare SundaySt. Catherine's Church, Hamburg
Judica SundaySt. Jacobi, Hamburg
Thursday after Judica SundayLesser St. Michael Church, Hamburg
Friday after Judica SundayHeilig-Geist Church, Hamburg
Saturday after Judica SundaySt. Johannis Church, Hamburg
Palm SundaySt. Michaelis Church, Hamburg
Holy MondaySt. Mary Magdalene Church, Hamburg
Holy TuesdaySt. Gertrude Chapel, Hamburg
Holy WednesdayPesthof Church, Hamburg
Maundy ThursdaySt. Pauli Church, Hamburg
Good FridaySt. Georg Church, Hamburg

In 1745, due to the mourning period following the death of Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor on 20 January 1745, the performance schedule was altered in the following way:
DateEventLocaleWork
16 MarchTuesday after Reminiscere SundayPetriskirche HamburgJohannes-Passion TWV 5:30
25 MarchThursday after Oculi Sunday Nikolaikirche HamburgTWV 5:30
28 MarchLaetere SundayKatherinenkirche HamburgTWV 5:30
31 MarchWednesday after Laetere SundayZuchthauskirche HamburgPaßions-Oratorium: Seliges Erwägen des Leidens und Sterbens Jesu Christi TWV 5:2a
4 AprilJudica SundayJakobiskirche HamburgTWV 5:30
7 AprilWednesday after Judica SundayWaisenhauskirche HamburgTWV 5:2a
8 AprilThursday after Judica SundayKlein Michaeliskirche HamburgTWV 5:30
9 AprilFriday after Judica SundayHeilig-Geist-Kirche HamburgTWV 5:2a
10 AprilSaturday after Judica SundayJohanniskirche HamburgTWV 5:30
11 AprilPalmarumMichaeliskirche HamburgTWV 5:30
12 AprilHeiligen MontagMaria-Magdalenenkirche HamburgTWV 5:30
13 AprilHeiligen DienstagGertrudenkirche HamburgTWV 5:30
14 AprilHeiligen MittwochPesthofkirche HamburgTWV 5:2a
15 AprilGründonnerstagPauliskirche HamburgTWV 5:30
16 AprilKarfreitagGeorgenkirche HamburgTWV 5:30

YearTWV NumberGospelTitleLibrettistScoringNotes
1722TWV 5:7MatthewWenn meine Sünd' mich kränken Unknown librettistMISSINGPerformed 22 February and 1, 15, 22, and 29 March 1722; Lost; First Passion setting performed as Cantor of the Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums and Music Director in Hamburg
1723TWV 5:8MarkEin Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, 2 Oboes, 2 Oboes d'amore, Strings, and ContinuoPerformed 14 and 21 February and 7, 14, and 21 March 1723
1724TWV 5:9LukeO Lamm Gottes, unschuldig Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 27 February, 5, 19, and 26 March, and 2 April 1724
1725TWV 5:10JohnJesu, deine tiefen Wunden Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 18 and 25 February and 11, 18, and ? March 1725
1726TWV 5:11MatthewO hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 10, 17, and 31 March and 7 and 14 April 1726
1727TWV 5:12MarkMein Heiland, du bist mir zulieb Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 2, 9, 23, and 30 March and 6 April 1727
1728TWV 5:13LukeIsrael, ach geliebtes Vater-Herz! Matthäus Arnold WilkensSATB, 2 Flutes, Recorder, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Strings, and ContinuoRecorded - M.A. Willens ; Modern Edition ; Performed 15 and 22 February and 7, 14, and 21 March 1728
1729TWV 5:14JohnUnsre Sünden-Schuld zu heben Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 6, 13, and 27 March and 3 and 10 April 1729
1730TWV 5:15MatthewWenn meine Sünd' mich kränken Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, Oboe, Strings, Violetta, and ContinuoRecorded - Redel 1965, Freiberger 2010; Performed 26 February, 5, 19, and 26 March and 2 April 1730
1731TWV 5:16MarkHochheiliges Versöhnungsfest Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 11 and 18 February and 4, 11, and 18 March 1731
1732TWV 5:17LukeBrüllest du? Gewaltger Donner! Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 2, 9, 23, and 30 March and 6 April 1732
1733TWV 5:18JohnDu laßest uns durchs Blut Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, 2 Oboes, Strings, and ContinuoRecorded—Michael Scholl ; Performed 22 February and 1, 15, 22, and 29 March 1733
1734TWV 5:19MatthewUnknown Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 14 and 21 March and 4, 11, and 18 April 1734
1735TWV 5:20MarkJesu, deine tiefen Wunden Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 27 February, 6, 20, and 27 March and 3 April 1735
1736TWV 5:21LukeWenn meine Sünd' mich kränken Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 19 and 26 February and 11, 18, and ? March 1736
1737TWV 5:22JohnJesu, deine heil'gen Wunden Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, 2 Oboes, Strings, and ContinuoModern edition ; Performed 10, 17, and 31 March and 7 and 14 April 1737
1738TWV 5:23MatthewO hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 23 February and 2, 16, 23 and 30 March 1738
1739TWV 5:24MarkO hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 15 and 22 February and 8, 15 and 22 March 1739
1740TWV 5:25LukeO hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 6, 13, and 27 March and 3 and 10 April 1740
1741TWV 5:26JohnO hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn Unknown librettistSATB, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Strings, and ContinuoPerformed 19 and 26 February and 12, 19 and 26 March 1741
1742TWV 5:27MatthewO hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 11 and 18 February and 4, 11 and 18 March 1742
1743TWV 5:28MarkUnknown Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 3, 10, 24, and 31 March and 7 April 1743
1744TWV 5:29LukeWenn meine Sünd mich kränken Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, Oboe d'amore, Strings, and ContinuoRecorded - S. Heinrich 1973 ; Performed 16 and 23 February and 8, 15, and 22 March 1744
1745TWV 5:30JohnEin Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld Joachim Johann Daniel ZimmermannSATB, Flute, 2 Oboes, Bass Oboe, Strings, and ContinuoRecorded - P. Peire 1996 ; Modern Edition—Bärenreiter ; Performed 16, 25, and 28 March and 4 and 11 April 1745
Western Hemisphere Premiere: E. Miller & C. Grills with the Harvard Early Music Society 2017
1746TWV 5:31MatthewLasst uns mit Ernst betrachten Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, Oboe, Oboe d'amore, 2 horns, Strings, and ContinuoRecorded - Redel 1965, Seeliger 1994, Stötzel 1997, H. Max 1999 ; Performed 27 February, 6, 20, and 27 March and 3 April 1746
1747TWV 5:32MarkJesu deine tiefen Wunden Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 19 and 26 February and 12, 19, and 26 March 1747
1748TWV 5:33LukeWisset ihr, dass ihr Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, Oboe, Oboe d'amore, Strings, and ContinuoRecorded - H. Max 2010 ; Performed 3, 10, 24, and 31 March and 7 April 1748
1749TWV 5:34JohnJesu, meines Lebens Leben Unknown librettistSATB, instruments unknownRecorded - M. Scholl 2011; Performed 23 February and 2, 16, 23, and 30 March 1749
1750TWV 5:35MatthewWenn meine Sünd mich kränken Unknown librettistSATB, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Strings, and ContinuoRecorded - Rademann 2002 ; Performed 15 and 22 February and 8, 15, and 22 March 1750
1751TWV 5:36MarkUnknown Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 28 February, 7, 21, and 28 March and 4 April 1751
1752TWV 5:37LukeUnknown Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 20 and 27 February and 12, and 19, and 26 March 1752
1753TWV 5:38JohnLiebe Seele, nun dich schwinge Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 13 and 20 March and 3, 10, and 17 April 1753
1754TWV 5:39Matthew? Unknown librettist?Autograph aus der Abteilung Schulmusikerziehung der Hochschule für Musik "Franz Liszt" Weimar; reprint by Kultur- und Forschungsstätte Michaelstein 1986; Performed 26 February, 5, 19, and 26 March, and 2 April 1754
1754TWV 5:53MatthewAuf, auf o Mensch Unknown librettistUnknownRecorded - Nemeth 1993 ; Discovered 1980; Performed 7 April 1754
1755TWV 5:40MarkDas ist ein kostlich Ding Unknown librettistSATB, 2 Flutes, Oboe, Strings, and ContinuoRecorded - M. Scholl 2006; Performed 18 and 25 February and 11, and 18, and ? March 1755
1756TWV 5:41LukeUnknown Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 9, 16, and 30 March and 6 and 13 April 1756
1757TWV 5:42JohnKommt zur Freystatt, ihr Betrübten Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, Oboe, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch; Performed 1, 8, 22, and 29 March and 5 April 1757
1758TWV 5:43MatthewHerr, starke mich, dein Leiden zu bedenken Unknown librettistSATB, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Horns, Trumpet, 2 Trombones, Timpani, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch, Recorded - M. Scholl 2000; Performed 14 and 21 February and 7, 14, and 21 March 1758
1759TWV 5:44MarkGott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet Unknown librettistSATB, 2 Flutes, 2 Recorders, 2 Oboes, Bass Oboe, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 2 Horns, 2 Trombones, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch, Recorded - Redel 1963 ; Performed 6 and 13, and 27 March and 3 and 10 April 1759
1760TWV 5:45LukeWelche Feind des Kreuzes Unknown librettistSATB, 2 Oboes, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch; Performed 26 February, 4, 18, and ? March and 1 April 1760. Much of the recitatives & turbae choruses are reused in C. P. E. Bach's 1771 & 1779 Passions.
1761TWV 5:46JohnDer Herr erhöre dich in deiner Not Unknown librettistSATB, Recorder, 2 Flutes, Oboe, Hautbois basse, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch; Performed 10 and 17 February and 3, and 10, and 17 March 1761
1762TWV 5:47MatthewUnknown M. PitiscusUnknownModern Edition by Johannes Pausch; Performed 2, 9, 23, and 30 March and 6 April 1762
1763TWV 5:48MarkUnknown Unknown librettistMISSINGLost; Performed 22 February and 1, 15, 22, and 29 March 1763
1764TWV 5:49LukeHier lass uns ruhn, o Teurer! Unknown librettistSATB, Flute, 2 Oboes, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch, Recorded - Pausch ?; Performed 13 and 20 March and 3, 10, and 17 April 1764
1765TWV 5:50JohnAch Gott und Herr Unknown librettistSATB, 2 Oboes, hautbois basse, 2 Bassoons, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch, Recorded - Pausch 1999 ; Performed 26 February, 5, 19, and 26 March and 2 April 1765
1766TWV 5:51MatthewEin Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld Unknown librettistSATB, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Bass Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, 2 Horns, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch, Recorded - Pausch 2001; Performed 16 and 23 February and 9, 16, and 23 March 1766
1767TWV 5:52MarkChriste du Lamm Gottes Johann RistSATB, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Bassoons, 2 Horns, 2 Trumpets, Strings, and ContinuoModern Edition by Johannes Pausch, Recorded - Smekens 1996; Performed 6, 13, and 27 March and 3 and 12 April 1767
1768TWV 5:21LukeWenn meine Sünd' mich kränken Unknown librettistMISSINGRepeat of 1736 St Luke Passion under direction of Telemann's grandson Georg Michael Telemann; Lost; Performed 23 February and 1, 15, 22, and 29 March 1768

Modern editions