MAC No. 9: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

Gottfried August Homilius (1714 –1785) was a German composer, cantor and organist. He studied law at Leipzig University and the organ under Johann Sebastian Bach. From 1742 he was organist at the Frauenkirche in Dresden, and from 1755 until his death cantor at the Kreuzkirche in Dresden with the associated responsibility of music director at the Kreuzkirche, the Sophienkirche, and the Frauenkirche. He is considered one of the most important church composers of the generation following Bach.

Published by Edition Breitkopf in “Homilius, Choralvorspiele”.

I have recorded two versions, being uncertain which one to prefer. In the first the dotted rhythm is rather soft, close to triplets. In the second version it is more marked, maybe even over-dotted. The second version reminds me of the rhythm of a French overture, announcing the arrival of the king - as JS Bach used it in his cantata No. 61.