Composition: Gleich wie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt, BWV 18 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)
| Title | Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt |
| Alternative title | Just like the rain and snow falling from the heavens |
| Creators | Johann Sebastian Bach (composer) and Erdmann Neumeister (librettist) and Lazarus Spengler (librettist) |
| Opus | BWV 18 |
| Instrumentation | soprano, tenor, bass, mixed chorus and orchestra |
| Number of movements | 5 |
| Keys | G minor (Weimer version); A minor (Leipzig version) |
| Composed | 1713 |
| First published | 1852 |
| Dedication | — |
| Tempo markings | — |
| Metronome markings | — |
| Time signatures | — |
| Average duration (sec) | 1260 |
| Number of measures | — |
| Composition types | Sacred cantatas |
| Language | German |
| Period | Baroque |
| View on IMSLP |  |
| Code |  |
Sections
| Title click for details |
Metronome | Key | Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinfonia | — | — | — |
| Recitativo (soprano): Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt | — | — | — |
| Recitativo & Chorale (tenorbass): Mein Gott, hier wird mein Herze sein | — | — | — |
| Aria (soprano): Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort | — | — | — |
| Chorale: Ich bitt, o Herr, aus Herzens Grund | — | — | — |
Arrangements
| Details | Section | Arranged for | Arranger |
|---|---|---|---|
| view | Sinfonia (No.1) | 2 violins, 2 violas and cello 2 violins, viola and 2 cellos 2 flutes, 2 violas and cello 2 flutes, viola and 2 cellos flute, violin, 2 violas and cello flute, violin, viola and 2 cellos |
Peter Lang |
| view | Sinfonia (No.1) | 2 violas and 3 cellos 3 violas and 2 cellos |
Peter Lang and Russ Bartoli |
| view | Aria: 'Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort' (No.4) | violin, viola and cello 2 violas and cello viola and 2 cellos |
Peter Lang |
| view | Aria: 'Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort' (No.4) | trumpet and organ | Michel Rondeau |
Scores
| Details | Section | Type | Publisher | Date | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| view | Complete | — | — | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Complete | — | — | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Weimar Version (BC A 44a) | — | — | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Weimar Version (BC A 44a) | — | — | — | 1. Sinfonia · view |
| view | Leipzig Version (BC A 44b) | — | — | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Leipzig Version (BC A 44b) | — | — | — | 1. Sinfonia · view |
| view | Leipzig Version (BC A 44b) | — | Ramon Casadesus-Masanell | 2021 | 1. Sinfonia · view 2. Recitativo: 'Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt' · view 3. Recitativo & Chorale: 'Mein Gott, hier wird mein Herze sein' · view 4. Aria: 'Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort' · view 5. Chorale: 'Ich bitt, o Herr, aus Herzens Grund' · view Engraving files (MuseScore) · view |
| view | Complete | parts | Manuscript | 1700 | Complete Parts · view |
| view | Complete | parts | Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Flute 1 · view Flute 2 · view Bassoon · view Violas I · view Violas II · view Violas III · view Violas IV · view Cellos/Basses · view Continuo · view |
| view | Complete | parts | Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Flute 1, 2 · view Bassoon · view Violas I · view Violas II · view Violas III · view Violas IV · view Cellos/Basses · view |
| view | Weimar Version, BC A 44a | parts | Manuscript | 1713 | Complete Parts · view |
| view | Weimar Version, BC A 44a | parts | — | — | Bassoon · view Violas I · view Violas II · view Violas III · view Violas IV · view Cellos and Basses · view Continuo · view |
| view | Leipzig Version, BC A 44b | parts | Manuscript | 1724 | Recorder 1, 2, Continuo · view |
| view | Leipzig Version, BC A 44b | parts | — | — | Recorder 1 (treble clef, french violin clef) · view Recorder 2 (treble clef, french violin clef) · view Bassoon · view Violas I · view Violas II · view Violas III · view Violas IV · view Cellos/Basses · view Continuo · view Engraving files (Lilypond) · view |
| view | Complete | vocal score | Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Complete Score (pp.6-7 out of sequence) · view |
| view | Complete | — | — | — | Complete Book (with score examples) · view |
| view | Chorale: 'Ich bitt, o Herr, aus Herzens Grund' (No.5) | — | — | — | Study Choral Score (Textless) · view Study Choral Score (Textless, A minor ) · view |
| view | Sinfonia (No.1) | Arrangement for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello 2 violins, viola and 2 cellos 2 flutes, 2 violas and cello 2 flutes, viola and 2 cellos flute, violin, 2 violas and cello flute, violin, viola and 2 cellos |
Peter Lang | 2015 | Complete Score and Parts · view |
| view | Sinfonia (No.1) | Arrangement for 2 violas and 3 cellos 3 violas and 2 cellos |
Peter Lang | 2015 | Complete Score and Parts · view |
| view | Aria: 'Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort' (No.4) | Arrangement for violin, viola and cello 2 violas and cello viola and 2 cellos |
Peter Lang | 2013 | Complete Score and Parts · view |
| view | Aria: 'Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort' (No.4) | Arrangement for trumpet and organ |
— | — | Complete Score and Trumpet Part · view Engraving files (Finale & XML) · view |
Recordings/Performances
©2025 David P. Anderson