O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf, Op. 74, No. 2 (Johannes Brahms)
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- (Posted 2020-06-03) CPDL #59002:
- Editor: Gary D. Cannon (submitted 2020-06-03). Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 131 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
- (Posted 2007-01-01) CPDL #13325:
- Editor: Diana Thompson (submitted 2007-01-01). Score information: A4, 7 pages, 122 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Includes piano reduction for rehearsal
Possible error(s) identified. Error summary: Measure 12, Alto: "and" should be replaced by "und".
- (Posted 2001-06-14) CPDL #02810:
- Editor: Pablo Rosario (submitted 2001-06-14). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 328 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf, Op. 74, No. 2
Composer: Johannes Brahms
Lyricist: Friedrich Spee (1591–1635), after Rorate caeli
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Motet
Language: German
Instruments: A cappella
First published:
Description: Brahms wrote three sets of Motets (Opus 29, 74 and 110). O Heiland reiß die Himmel auf, (Opus 74, No. 2) reflects Brahms’ high art of contrapuntal writing, very much influenced by his familiarity of music by Bach. All movements are based on a chorale, which is sung as "cantus firmus" alternately by the sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. The fourth section (or verse), Hie Leiden wir die größte Not, is especially expressive and represents a harmonic beauty typical of Brahms’ works. (http://www.csbsju.edu/internationalchoir/2005/program.htm) Metric translations include Willis Wager's "O Saviour throw the heavens" (Copyright 1940) and Martin L. Seltz's "O Saviour rend the heavens wide" (copyright 1969, in Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary & Lutheran Service Book)
External websites:
- WP article about the tune (German)
- Simrock 1st edition at IMSLP
Original text and translations
Original text and translations may be found at O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf.