Tonus peregrinus, the foreign tone, refers on the one hand to an old psalm tone that was the basis of certain Gregorian melodies. On the other hand, Tonus peregrinus can also be a symbol for new or unusual sounds or sound combinations. Bach's famous oratorio composition Magnificat BWV 243 uses a melody in this tone in Suscepit Israel (No. 10), which forms the basis of the entire cycle. In the last line, the text of the work calls for reconciliation despite all opposition and strangeness, with a reference to the common root of all people ("unto our fathers, Abraham and his seed forever"). Bach's motet "Jesu, meine Freude", which is based on a Protestant chorale and New Testament text, is also about alienation from the world, about the transformation from carnality to spirituality.

Martin Kohlmann

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Mar 21, 2025

Tonus peregrinus. Vocal work Hanover and concerto ispirato · NDR Radiophilharmonie

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