Chorale Preludes on Das alte Jahr vergangen ist JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750), JOHANN GOTTFRIED WALTHER
BWV1091 is one of the so-called Neumeister chorales, rediscovered in the University Library in Harvard in 1985. This one is based on words and melody by Johann Steurlein (1546-1613). He born in Schmalkalden, where the Protestant princes met on 31 December 1530 - another seasonal link - to oppose the policies of Charles V and to defend their religious freedoms - so their alliance is referred to as the Schmalkaldic League. Steurlein, a poet and organist, became Town Clerk in Wasungen on the River Werra, and later secretary to the Chancery and Mayor of Meiningen, also in Thuringia, where he died. The words of the first verse of the chorale translate as follows: "The old year has passed away; we thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that You have so mercifully protected us from such great peril this year." Bach's prelude is followed by Walther's and the preludes themselves are interspersed with Bach's four part harmonization of the chorale melody (BWV288/289).
Hymn No. 79 As with gladness W. Chatterton Dix (1837-98); Tune: Dix (Treuer Heiland), from Conrad Kocher (1786-1872).
Dix write this hymn in the late 1850s during a period of convalescence, initially for private circulation. It was subsequently included in the first edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). Dix was the son of John Dix, a Bristol surgeon who wrote the Life of Chatterton, the Bristol poet, after whom his son was named. The chorale first appeared in Kocher's Stimmen aus dem Reiche Gottes ("Voices from the Kingdom of God") (1838). He was Director of Music at the Collegiate Church in Stuttgart from 1827, doubtless partly because of his study of church music Die Tonkunst der Kirche (1823).
Hymn No. 643 Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning Reginald Heber (1783-1826); Tune: Epiphany, J. F. Thrupp (1827-67).
This hymn was composed while Heber was vicar of Hodnet (1807-23), but was not included in the first edition ofHymns Ancient and Modern (1861), because exception was taken to a hymn being addressed to a star. Heber became Bishop of Calcutta in 1823, and the strain of a see which comprised all of British India had a drastic effect on his health. Hie died suddenly of a stroke in 1826. Joseph Francis Thrupp was educated at Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge, retaining his association with the University in later life.
Chorale Prelude on Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750).
BWV1102 is another of the so-called Neumeister chorale preludes, this one on a melody found in Bartholomäus Gesius' song book of 1601, to words by Jakob Ebert (1549-1614), born in Sprottau in Silesia and later Professor of Theology at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder. Gesius was Cantor and also a teacher in Frankfurt. His song book includes harmonizations of several well-known chorale melodies, including Heut triumpieret Gottes Sohn, and this one, the first verse of which translates; "Lord Jesus Christ, You Prince of Peace, true Man and God; You are a strong helper in trouble, in life and in death, so we cry to Your Father in Your Name." The dancing rhythms of Bach's prelude transform the simple melody of the chorale.