Sheet Music: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

TitleO Sacred Head, Now Wounded
from St. Matthew Passion
Alternate titlesO Haupt voll Blut und Wunden from Matthäus-Passion
Opus numberBWV 244
ComposerJohann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
InstrumentationFlute trio
KeyC major
RangeD4–D6
Time signature4/4
Tempo60 BPM
Performance time1:05
Difficulty leveleasy
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (62 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (925 kB)
Play-along accompanimentMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1 MB)
Date added2014-04-18
Last updated2014-04-18
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 2.2 (above average)
Categories
Baroque, Easter music, Hymn tunes, Oratorios

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Friday 18 April 2014

Tune of the Day: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

by Johann Sebastian Bach, transcribed for flute trio

This melody was originally composed around 1600 by German organist Hans Leo Hassler for a secular love song, “Mein G'müt ist mir verwirret”. The most famous setting of the tune, however, is by Johann Sebastian Bach, who arranged it in his St. Matthew Passion. Bach also used the melody on different words in his Christmas Oratorio, both in the first choral and the triumphant final chorus.

As many will probably recognize, The melody of “American Tune” by Paul Simon is based on this tune.

Thanks to Diana for suggesting this piece!

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