Post-Worship Treat for June 5, 2022 

Lexington Presbyterian Church
Post-Worship Treat
Sunday, June 5, 2022
William McCorkle plays the C. B. Fisk pipe organ, opus 128 (2007)
Heinrich Scheidemann: Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott (Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God)
With Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, we see what was frequently the case in the early German Reformation: an ancient (Latin) hymn text of the church (Veni Creator Spiritus), translated into German, with the addition of more verses of text (in this case by Martin Luther). In this case, the melody is not a reworking of the ancient chant melody, but a 16th-century melody, first found in a hymn collection from 1524. A great deal of music has been composed around this tune, including solo vocal and choral pieces, but especially many organ pieces.
Today’s offering is one of several varied settings by Heinrich Scheidemann (1595-1663), the most brilliant and influential of the German organists of the early 17th century, pioneer in the playing of the newly expanded pipe organs of the time, and in the composing of music for the instrument; performer, teacher, and star musician of Hamburg. In today’s work, the hymn melody, in elaborate ornamented, coloratura style, evoking the practices of singers and violinists of the day, proclaims the message of praise to the Holy Spirit. A fitting offering for Pentecost.
This work is in the public domain.