O LAMM GOTTES UNSHULDIG

 

TUNE: O LAMM GOTTES UNSHULDIG

(O Lamb of God, Most Holy)

Composed by Nicolaus Decius

Chorale prelude arranged by Johann Pachelbel

Played by Romi on the electronic keyboard

I have often played this chorale prelude at the beginning of the Sunday worship service. We seldom sing the hymn of the same title, but some of us seem to be familiar with this melody. (I live in Japan.)

NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND

 

TUNE: NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND

(Savior of the Nations, Come)

from Geystliches Gesangk Buchleyn

Chorale prelude arranged by Johann Heinrich Buttstedt

Played by Romi on the electronic keyboard

This is my favorite hymn for the Advent season. The piece recorded in the video above is one of the chorale preludes of the same title, which I have often played at church on the first Sunday in the Advent season. 

MIT FREUDEN ZART

 

UNE: MIT FREUDEN ZART

from Genevan Psalter

Played by Romi on the electronic keyboard

For the letter ‘M’, I have chosen the tune named MIT FREUDEN ZART. 

MIT (with)

FREUDEN (joy)

ZART (tender)

I don’t remember singing any hymns to this tune myself, but the melody sounds vaguely familiar. If I were not taking part in this A to Z challenge, I would not have had a chance to play it on the keyboard. I practiced it only a few times and recorded it. I’m thankful that I have discovered this beautiful tune.

LIEBSTER JESU WIR SIND HIER

 

TUNE: LIEBSTER JESU WIR SIND HIER

(Dearest Jesus, We are Here)

Composed by Johann R. Ahle

Chorale prelude arranged by Christian Heinrich Rinck

Played by Romi on the electronic keyboard

At the local church I attend, the organists are to select the prelude performed at the beginning of a Sunday worship service. Usually, I search for a piece related to the theme of the sermon or the church calendar, but it is not always possible to find something suitable. When I am at a loss, I often decide on LIEBSTER JESU WIR SIND HIER.

My repertoire includes several versions arranged by different composers, and the one in the recording above is a lovely piece in 105 Organ Preludes by Ch. H. Rinck.

KIRKEN

 

TUNE: KIRKEN

HYMN: Kirken den er gammelt Hus 

(Built on the Rock)

Composed by Lutvig M. Lindeman

Played by Romi on the electronic keyboard

For the letter ‘K’, I have selected the tune named KIRKEN. I have heard this song several times before, but I have never sung it myself. I kind of like the pensive melody. I practiced playing it on the keyboard in my room several times and recorded it. 

Since I am not familiar with the German language, I thought this hymn was written in Germany at first. Today, however, I found that the title is in Norwegian. According to Google Translation, it seems to mean ‘The church it is old house.’  I have checked out Hymnary.org and now I know the composer was also Norwegian.

note:

Kirken (Norwegian)

Kirche (German)

Church (English)

教会　(kyo-kai) (Japanese)

JESU MEINE FREUDE

 

TUNE: JESU MEINE FREUDE

(Jesus, Priceless Treasure)

Composed by Johann Crüger

Chorale prelude arranged by Johann Gottfried Walther

Played by Romi on the electronic keyboard

I practiced this chorale prelude hundreds of times, until I finally learned to play it (almost) accurately. When I finished playing it without making any (disastrous) mistakes for the very first time in my life, in my apartment in the small town surrounded by the mountains, on a cold evening more than two decades ago, I found it difficult to believe it. 

My rendition in the video above is just a progress report. I hope to be a much better player in the future. 

ICH STEH AN DEINER KRIPPEN HIER

 

TUNE: ICH STEH AN DEINER KRIPPEN HIER

(Beside Thy Manger Here I Stand)

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach

Arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach

Played by Romi on the electronic keyboard

I first listened to this beautiful Christmas hymn sung more than two decades ago, when I lived in a small town surrounded by the mountains. Kaori and her sister, both of whom were high school students then, sang it for us at the local church on Christmas Eve. Their voices and the song were exquisite.

Some time later, I started practicing playing the tune on the electronic keyboard in my apartment. It took me a long time to learn to play the version found in our hymnal. I don’t remember exactly how long it took, but I remember practicing it again and again for weeks. I was delighted when I finally managed to play the complicated harmony. 

I sometimes practice this hymn, not only before Christmas, but also in other seasons, so that I will not forget how to play this wonderful tune.