Lexington Presbyterian Church
Post-Worship Treat
Sunday, December 12, 2021
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William McCorkle plays the C. B. Fisk pipe organ, opus 128 (2007)
Johann Pachelbel: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How brightly shines the Morning Star)
Here is an organ work inspired by a well-known hymn used often in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons. The German pastor and musician, Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608) wrote the words and melody of Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, which has gained a secure place in almost all denominational hymnals now for hundreds of years. We know it in the classic English rendering (How brightly shines the Morning Star) by the great translator, Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878) and by another Lutheran translation, O Morning Star, how fair and bright - Hymn 827. Many composers found inspiration in Nicolai’s melody (and its text) for vocal and instrumental compositions.
Today’s piece is taken from the huge store of hymn-based preludes for organ by the German musician, Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706), one of the most respected musicians of his time, a man who held posts as organist in a number of cities, notably Vienna, Erfurt, and Nuremberg. In a style which Pachelbel employed frequently, two melodic lines (evolving out of the hymn melody itself) maintain a lively, lovely dialogue using a full complement of organ stops including the bright mixtures, with the unadorned hymn melody appearing in augmentation (i.e., long-held notes) played be the feet, and showing off the imposing pedal posaune (trombone) stop, one of the instrument’s most powerful sounds. The atmosphere is one of immense and intense joy.
12 дек 2021
