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Seeds of Sorrow

The vocal compositions of Andreas Hammerschmidt, David Pohle, and Johann Vierdanck emerge as a source of hope in a Europe scarred by the Thirty Years’ War. Music that speaks through timeless emotions – expressing the yearning for redemption and the spiritual pull of something greater than humankind. At moments steeped in despair and at others radiant with hope, it gives voice to sorrow, yet also to the longing for peace and joy. Rich in texture and harmony, artful and deeply moving. The six-member Dutch vocal ensemble Tempera Mente has delved into these rarely performed early Baroque sacred works, tracing the thread of that musical seed of hope which, once fallen like a tear to the earth, bore fruit across generations of composers – from Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow to his pupil George Frideric Handel.
Part of: Internationale Händel-Festspiele Göttingen
Past event Monday 25 May 2026 17:00 – 18:30
St. Norbert-Kirche St.-Norbert-Platz 2, 37133 Friedland

As the Thirty Years’ War swept through 17th century Europe, it left behind a continent scarred by suffering and destruction. Death and desolation carved deep marks into the soul of society, echoes of which resounded in its art. The music of this era speaks of profound anguish, fear, an agonizing distance from God, and the haunting feeling of abandonment. And though religion may hold less sway in our modern lives, the emotions remain timeless: fear, loneliness, the aching awareness of our own frailty, and a yearning for deliverance, for something greater than ourselves.

The selected works by Hammerschmidt and Vierdanck, much like seeds of sorrow, grew out of the rubble of a shattered world. Yet even amidst the pervasive sorrow and pain, glimmers of hope for salvation begin to stir—an unquenchable longing for peace and joy. The musicians journey through these shifting emotional landscapes, sometimes stripped down to two or three voices, sometimes swelling in full ensemble, oscillating between despair and hope. In this way, they forge a bridge between the language and expression of the 17th century and the hearts of today’s listeners.

Programme

  1. Hammerschmidt — Herr, wie lange willst du mein so gar vergessen
    • CCATB bc
    • HaWV 140·Musikalische Andachten II (1641).

    Herr, wie lange willst du mein so gar vergessen?

    How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?

    Wie lange verbirgst du dein Antlitz vor mir?

    How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

    Schau doch und erhöre mich, Herr, mein Gott!

    Consider and hear me, O Lord my God!

    Wie lange soll ich sorgen in meiner Seele

    How long shall I take counsel in my soul,

    und mich ängsten in meinem Herzen täglich?

    having sorrow in my heart daily?

    Wie lange soll sich mein Feind über mich erheben?

    How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

    Schau doch und erhöre mich, Herr, mein Gott!

    Consider and hear me, O Lord my God!

    Erleuchte meine Augen, daß ich nicht im Tode entschlafe,

    Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

    daß sich mein Feind sich rühme, er sein mein mächtig worden,

    Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him,

    und meine Widersacher sich nicht freuen, daß ich niederliege.

    and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

    Schau doch und erhöre mich, Herr, mein Gott!

    Consider and hear me, O Lord my God!

    Text: Psalm 13•Translation: King James Version

  2. Zachow — Preludio e Fuga
    • Org solo
    • LV 60
  3. Hammerschmidt — Wende dich Herr und sey mir gnädig
    • AB bc
    • HaWV 135·Musikalische Andachten I (1638).

    Altus

    Wende dich, Herr, und sei mir gnädig,

    Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,

    denn ich bin einsam und elend,

    for I am desolate and afflicted.

    Die Angst meines Herzen ist groß,

    The troubles of my heart are enlarged,

    führe mich aus meinen Nöten.

    O bring thou me out of my distresses.

    Bassus

    Ist nicht Ephraim mein teurer Sohn

    Is Ephraim my dear son?

    und mein trautes Kind?

    is he a pleasant child?

    Denn ich gedenk noch wohl daran,

    for since I spake against him,

    was ich ihm geredet habe.

    I do earnestly remember him still:

    Altus

    Siehe an meinen Jammer und Elend

    Look upon mine affliction and my pain

    und vergib mir alle meine Sünden.

    and forgive all my sins.

    Bassus

    Darum bricht mir mein Herz gegen ihm,

    Therefore my bowels are troubled for him,

    daß ich mich sein erbarmen muß

    I will surely have mercy upon him.

    Translation: King James Version

  4. Vierdanck — Meine Harfe ist zur Klage worden
    • CATB bc
    • Ambrosius Profe, Ander Theil Geistlicher Concerten und Harmonien (1641).

    Meine Harfe ist zur Klage geworden

    My lyre is turned to mourning

    und meine Pfeife ein Weinen.

    and my pipe to the voice of those who weep.

    Text: Hiob 30, 31

  5. Zachow — Corale e Variazioni super Jesu Meine Freude
    • Org solo
    • LV60
  6. Hammerschmidt — Ach Gott, warumb hast du mein vergessen!
    • T solo SATB bc
    • HaWV 245·Musikalische Andachten V (1652).

    Ach Gott, warum hast du mein vergessen,

    O God, why hast thou forgotten me,

    warum muß ich so traurig gehen,

    why must go I mourning

    wenn mein Feind mich dränget?

    because of the oppression of the enemy?

    Was betrübst du dich,

    Why art thou cast down, my soul?

    wir haben einen Gott, der da hilft.

    We have a God who helps.

    Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele,

    Why art thou cast down, my soul?

    und bist so unruhig in mir?

    And why art thou disquieted within me?

    Harre auf Gott,

    Hope thou in God:

    wir haben einen Gott, der da hilft.

    We have a God who helps.

    denn wir werden ihm noch danken,

    for I shall yet praise him,

    dass er meines Angesichtes Hülfe

    who is the health of my countenance,

    und mein Gott ist.

    and my God.

    Wir haben einen Gott, der da hilft.

    We have a God who helps.

    Alleluja

    Hallelujah.

    Text: Psalm 42, 46, 68•Translation: Based on the King James Version (1611)

  7. Hammerschmidt — Wie der Hirsch schreyet
    • CCB bc
    • HaWV 63·Musikalische Andachten I (1639).

    Wie der Hirsch schreit nach frischem Wasser,

    As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

    So schreit meine Seele, Gott, zu dir.

    so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

    Meine Seele dürstet nach Gott, nach dem lebendigen Gott.

    My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

    Wann werde ich dahin kommen, daß ich Gottes Angesicht schaue?

    when shall I come and appear before God?

    Text: Psalm 42•Translation: King James version

  8. Break
  9. Pohle — Miserere mei Deus
    • CCATB bc
    • Kassel, Universitätsbibliothek Kassel, Ms.mus 52e.

    Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam

    Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness.

    Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam

    According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

    Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea:

    Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity:

    et a peccato meo munda me

    and cleanse me from my sin.

    Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco

    For I know my transgressions;

    Et peccatum meum contra me est semper

    And my sin is ever before me.

    Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci

    Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight;

    Ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris

    That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

    Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum

    Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity;

    Et in peccatis concepit me mater mea

    And in sin did my mother conceive me.

    Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti:

    Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts;

    incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi

    and in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

    Expiabis me Hyssopo et mundabor

    Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:

    lavabis me et super nivem dealbabor

    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

    Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitium

    Make me to hear joy and gladness,

    et exultabunt ossa quae contrivisti.

    that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

    Text: Psalm 50•Translation: American Standard Version, 1901

  10. Hammerschmidt — Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott
    • CCATB bc
    • HaWV 139·Musikalische Andachten II (1641).

    Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott,

    Have mercy on me, Lord my God,

    nach deiner großn Barmherzigkeit.

    in your abundant grace;

    Wasch ab, mach rein mein Missethat,

    wash clean my guilt and all my sin,

    ich kenn mein Sünd und ist mir leid.

    whose weight I now confess.

    Allein ich dir gesündigt hab,

    Against you only have I sinned—

    das ist wider mich stetiglich;

    my fault is ever near;

    das Bös vor dir mag nicht bestehn,

    no evil stands before your sight:

    du bleibst gerecht, ob urtheilst mich.

    your judgment is most clear.

    Text: Paraphrased after Psalm 51 by Erhart Hegenwalt, 1524 in Erfurt Enchiridion.

  11. Handel — Fuga in Am
    • Org solo
    • HWV 609
  12. Vierdanck — Lobe den Herrn
    • CCC bc
    • Geistliche Konzerte I (1642).

    Lobe den Herren, meine Seele!

    Praise the Lord my Soul,

    Alleluja!

    Allelujah!

    Ich will dem Herren singen mein Leben lang

    I will sing praises unto my God as long as I live,

    und meinen Gott loben, solange ich bin.

    and praise my God, while I have any being.

    Meine Rede müsse ihm wohl gefallen.

    May my meditation be pleasing to him.

    Ich freue mich des Herren.

    I rejoice in the Lord.

    Der Sünder müsse ein Ende werden auf Erden,

    But may sinners vanish from the earth,

    und die Gottlosen nicht mehr sein.

    and the wicked be no more.

    Text: Psalm 104, 33-35•Translation: Based on the King James Version

  13. Hammerschmidt — Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen
    • CCATB bc
    • HaWV 135·Musikalische Andachten II (1641).

    Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen,

    How amiable are thy tabernacles,

    Herr Zebaoth!

    O Lord of hosts!

    Meine seele verlanget und sehnet sich

    My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth

    nach den Vorhöfen des Herrn;

    for the courts of the Lord:

    mein Leib und Seele freuen sich

    my heart and my flesh crieth out

    in dem lebendigen Gott.

    for the living God.

    Text: Martin Luther•Translation: King James Version

  14. Pohle — Bonum est confiteri Dominum
    • ATB bc
    • Uppsala, Uppsala universitetsbibliotek, Düben Collection, Vok. mus. i hs. 32:5 (c. 1671).

    Bonum est confiteri Domino,

    It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

    et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime:

    and to sing psalms to your name, O Most High:

    ad annuntiandum mane misericordiam tuam,

    to proclaim your mercy in the morning,

    et veritatem tuam per noctem.

    and your truth in the night.

    Quia delectasti me, Domine, in factura tua;

    For you have given me joy, O Lord, in your works;

    et in operibus manuum tuarum exsultabo.

    and I will rejoice in the works of your hands.

    Quam magnificata sunt opera tua, Domine!

    How magnificent are your works, O Lord!

    Nimis profundæ factæ sunt cogitationes tuæ.

    Your thoughts are exceedingly deep.

    Vir insipiens non cognoscet,

    A foolish man will not know them,

    et stultus non intelliget hæc.

    and a senseless man will not understand this.

    Rectus autem Dominus Deus noster,

    But the Lord our God is upright,

    et non est iniquitas in eo.

    and there is no injustice in him.

    Text: After psalm 91•Translation: Tempera Mente

  15. Zachow — Wir Christenleut
    • Org solo
    • LV14
  16. Vierdanck — Schaff in mir Gott
    • CCA bc
    • Geistliche Konzerte I (1642).

    Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein reines Herz

    Create in me a clean heart, O God;

    und gib mir einen neuen gewissen Geist.

    and renew a right spirit within me.

    Verwirff mich nicht von deinem Angesichte

    Cast me not away from thy presence;

    und nimm deinen heilig’n Geist nicht von mir.

    and take not thy holy spirit from me.

    Tröste mich wieder mit deiner Hülffe

    Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

    Und der freudige Geist enthalte mich.

    and uphold me with thy free spirit.

    Text: Psalm 51, 12-14•Translation: King James version

  17. Hammerschmidt — Die mit Tränen Säen
    • CCATB bc
    • Musikalische Andachten V (1652).

    Die mit Tränen säen,

    They that sow in tears

    werden mit Freuden ernten.

    shall reap in joy.

    Sie gehen hin und weinen

    He that goeth forth and weepeth,

    und tragen edlen Samen

    bearing precious seed,

    und kommen mit Freuden

    shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

    und bringen ihre Garben.

    bringing his sheaves with him.

    Text: Psalm 126•Translation: King James version

Performers

Composers

  • Andreas Hammerschmidt 1611/12–1675
  • Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow 1663–1712
  • Johann Vierdanck 1605–1646
  • David Pohle 1624–1695
  • George Frideric Handel 1685–1759