Vorspiel zum Choral: "Nun ruhen alle Wälder"

Jan Albert van Eyken (1822-1868) was Dutch, and the son of an organist. He studied organ and composition from 1845-1846 at the Lepizig Conservatory, and on the advice of Mendelssohn, studied organ with Schneider in Dresden. Thereafter he performed concerts with great success in Holland. In 1848 he became organist of the Remonstratenkirche in Amsterdam, and in 1853, organist of the Zuyedrkirche and teacher of organ at the music school in Rotterdam. From 1854 until his death, he was organist of the Reformed Church at Elberfield. In addition to this prelude, he composed three sonatas.

"Vorspiel zum Choral: 'Nun ruhen alle Wälder," is a lovely setting, which I played on the Swell strings and flute 8' for the right hand, with choral melody played in the tenor upon the Solo Viola da Gamba and tremulant.

I will play this today as part of a recital, "Music of the German Romantics," featuring five chorale preludes, as well as Sonatas by Mendelssohn and Rheinberger. This setting will contrast with one by Forchhammer.

This piece is published in "The Mendelssohn School," edited by Wayne Leupold, and published by McAfee in 1978.