Herzlich tut mich verlangen

Johann Kuhnau  6-4-1660  – 5-6-1722) was a German composer, organist and harpsichordist. He was the predecessor of Johann Sebastian Bach as Thomaskantor in Leipzig from 1701 to 1722.

Kuhnau wrote sacred music on Bible stories, such as The Marriage of David Gideon and The Tomb of Jacob. One of his organ works is titled Der todtkranke und wieder gesunde Hiskias (Hiskias, sick to death and healthy again). Kuhnau is credited as the inventor of the keyboard sonata, elevating the form from simple dance tunes. Many of his sacred works have survived, including cantatas and motets such as Tristis est anima mea for five vocal parts; four sets of keyboard pieces have also survived.

I found this prelude in a compilation bundle.

Though imho not really a chorale prelude, but more a somewhat elaborated setting of the chorale, it certainly has a kind of yearnful character, especially when played on a rather dark registration.

In this case I used ground voices 16, 8, 4, 2 on the Hauptwerk, coupled to the pedal with 16, 8 4, 5 1/3.

It is a rather personal choice, there ofcourse are all kind of other possibilities, but I hope you like it this way also.