'Now Thank We All Our God (Nun Danket Alle Gott)' arr. by Mendelssohn, on 6 flutes by Timothy Seaman

http://www.timothyseaman.com/ I've transcribed this chorale from Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony no. 2 'Lobegesang' for America's Thanksgiving this year! This 6-voice version is for 3 C flutes and 3 G alto flutes, and I've tried it out here with a quick-and-dirty video in my Pine Wind Studio, in preparation for a more careful audio track for release on streaming platforms, in medley with Bach's 4-voice arrangement and the classic hymns 'Come, Ye Thankful People, Come' and 'We Gather Together to Ask the Lord's Blessing'.

The English translation of this chorale's words, penned by Martin Rinkart in 1630, in the midst of the great suffering of the 30 Years' War and its pestilence (he officiated the funerals of 40-50 people a day):

1 Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

2 O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
of this world and the next.

3 All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.