O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

The tune we know today as PASSION CHORALE was originally a Renaissance era German court song. It later became linked with sacred texts and was adapted as a chorale in J.S. Bach's "St. Matthew's Passion." In this setting the melody is voiced in the haunting, somber tones of the double bass. Variations in timbre, register, and dynamics express the pathos from the hymn text of "O Sacred Head Now Wounded." The largely step-wise melody is well-suited to the piano accompaniment in a simple descending mixolydian scale which intimates the minimalistic stylings of Arvo Part. Unexpected finger cymbal chimes punctuate phrases when the double bass plays alone.