"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" ("A rose has sprung up"), most commonly translated to English as "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" or "A Spotless Rose", is a Christmas carol and Marian Hymn of German origin.
History
The text is thought to be penned by an anonymous author expressing fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1 The piece first appeared in print in the late 16th century. The hymn has been used by both Catholics and Protestants, with the focus of the song being Mary or Jesus, respectively. In addition, there have been numerous versions of the hymn, with varying texts and lengths. In 1844, the German hymnologist Friedrich Layriz added three more stanzas, the first of which, Das Blümelein so kleine, remained popular and has been included in Catholic hymnals.
The tune most familiar today appears in the Speyer Hymnal (printed in Cologne in 1599), and the familiar harmonization was written by German composer Michael Praetorius in 1609.
The English translation "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" was written by Theodore Baker in 1894. A translation of the first two verses of the hymn as "A Spotless Rose" was written by Catherine Winkworth and this was set as a SATB anthem by Herbert Howells in 1919 and Philip Ledger in 2002.
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Det är en ros utsprungen, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming) is the setting of the Christmas carolEs ist ein Ros entsprungen for two choirs a cappella by Swedish composer Jan Sandström. The work of 1990, which incorporates the harmonization by Praetorius, is one of his signature compositions, along with his Trombone Concerto No. 1, the Motorbike Concerto.
Composition
Jan Sandström composed the work in 1990, one year after the success of his Motorbike Concerto. He took the four-part setting of the Christmas carol Es ist ein Ros entsprungen by Michael Praetorius (1609) as a starting point. Line by line, he placed it in slow motion within an eight-part a cappella setting. Choir I in four parts, singing Praetorius, can be performed by soloists. Choir II in eight parts is hummed throughout. The way of combining a chorale as a cantus firmus with different musical material is similar to chorale preludes, but in this case the cantus firmus is quoted not only in the melody but a full harmonization, and the contrasting music is given to voices. Their humming renders the work suitable for international presentation.
Es ist ein Reis (Ros') entsprungen Aus einer Wurzel zart. Wie uns die Alten sungen, Aus Jesse kam die Art Und hat ein Blümlein bracht, Mitten im kalten Winter, Wohl zu der halben Nacht. 2. Das Röslein das ich meine, Davon Jesaias sagt: Ist Maria, die Reine, Die uns das Blümlein bracht. Aus Gottes ew'gen Rat Hat sie ein Kind geboren Und blieb ein' reine Magd. 3. Den Hirten auf dem Felde Verkünd't das englisch' Heer, Wie zur selbigen Stunde Christus geboren wär' Zu Bethle'm in der Stadt, Da sie das Kindlein finden, Wie ihn'n der Engel g'sagt. 4. Das Blümelein so kleine, Das duftet uns so süß, Mit seinem hellen Scheine Vertreibt's die Finsternis. Wahr' Mensch und wahrer Gott, Hilf uns aus allem Leide, Rettet von Sünd' und Tod. 5. Wir bitten dich von Herzen, O Heiland, edles Kind, Durch alle deine Schmerzen, Wann wir fahren dahin Aus diesem Jammertal, Du wollest uns geleiten Bis in der Engel Saal. 6?. O Jesu, bis zum Scheiden Aus diesem Jammertal Laß Dein Hilf uns geleiten Hin in den Freudensaal, In Deines Vaters Reich, Da wir Dich ewig loben. O Gott, uns das verleih.
Takach have arranged songs in English, French and German to take us on this journey, from the peppy "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" to the wistful "Keep the Home-Fires Burning" to the traditional German carol "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen." ...
Der schmucke Gempfinger Pfarrhof mit all seinen räumlichen Möglichkeiten tut ein Übriges, den jeweils stimmigen Rahmen dazu zu geben ... Ausstellungseröffnung „Andreas Kuhnlein - Was ist der Mensch?“ ... „Es ist ein Ros entsprungen“.
Jewish names such as Jesse or Isaiah disappeared from "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" ("A Rose Has Burst Into Bloom," also known as "Behold a Rose of Judah") — standard repertoire on Christmas Eve — and entire lines were completely replaced.
