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Psalm album cover

Album guide

Psalm

Jens Schöwings Blue Note Bach

Composers
J.S. Bach; Luther
Released
2020
Label
Blacklisted Records
Forces
Piano, Vibraphone, Quartet
Personnel
Jens Schöwing piano and Fender Rhodes, Matthias Entrup vibraphone, Christian Frank double bass, Marc Prietzel drums

Psalm grew from concert requests marking the Reformation’s 500th anniversary in 2017.

Schöwing initially found the Genevan psalm tunes too spare and austere to recast, then discovered that their clear lines and few strong syncopations left room for jazz.

The four resulting arrangements, all shaped by the sound of Fender Rhodes, became the album’s heart.

Hear both

The classical side contains only the source pieces used on the album, in album order. The jazz side presents the complete album whenever a dependable copy can be embedded.

The originalsJ.S. Bach, Luther · classical source works

Tracks 13 and 14 share one recording containing both Bourrées from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 3. Track 10 is omitted because the album identifies Cantata BWV 62 but not the movement; the other eight classical tracks have one recording apiece, while Schöwing’s three originals have none.

Jazzed upJens Schöwings Blue Note Bach · 2020
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Source works

The album’s complete track listing, with each classical source identified and original compositions marked plainly.

  1. Nun Freut Euch Alle Christen GmeinJ.S. Bach: chorale “Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g’mein”, BWV 388
  2. Besser Als Gestern, Schlechter Als MorgenOriginal composition by Jens Schöwing
  3. Verleih Uns Frieden GnädiglichJ.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 42, “Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats”, No. 7, chorale “Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich”
  4. Bouree Aus Lautensuite E-MollJ.S. Bach: Lute Suite No. 1 in E minor, BWV 996, V. Bourrée
  5. Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser GottLuther: chorale “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott”
  6. Jauchzt Alle, Gott Sei ErhobenAnonymous: Genevan Psalter, Psalm 33, Geneva 1551, German text after Jorissen
  7. Neig Zu Mir, Herr, Deine OhrenAnonymous: Genevan Psalter, Psalm 86, Geneva 1551/1562, German text after Jorissen 1793
  8. Herr, Steh Uns BeiAnonymous: Genevan Psalter, Psalm 12, Geneva 1551
  9. Was Soll Der Aufruhr Und Der WiderstandAnonymous: Genevan Psalter, Psalm 2, Geneva 1551
  10. Nun Komm, Der Heiden HeilandJ.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 62, “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” — the movement is not identified
  11. B A C HOriginal composition by Jens Schöwing
  12. Foggy GreenOriginal composition by Jens Schöwing
  13. Bouree Aus Cellosuite Nr. 3 (BWV 1009), Pt. 1J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009, V. Bourrées I and II
  14. Bouree aus Cellosuite Nr. 3 (BWV 1009), Pt. 3J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009, V. Bourrées I and II