Maria durch ein’ Dornwald ging (Partita), GWV 597 (2008)

Lothar Graap (b. 1933) — Maria durch ein’ Dornwald ging (Partita), GWV 597 (2008) for organ

"Maria durch ein’ Dornwald ging" ("Mary went through a thorn forest") is a German Advent hymn. It dates likely from the mid-19th century, though some sources speculate (without concrete evidence) that it dates from the 16th century. The hymn became popular in the early 20th century.

Lothar Graap (b. 1933) is a German composer and church musician. Educated at the conservatory in Görlitz, his primary teachers were Eberhard Wenzel and Hans Schneider. He also studied with Helmut Bornefeld and Siegfried Reda. In 1954 he began a career as a professional church musician in Niemegk, and he pursued this work at several positions until his retirement in 1998 from Cottbus, where he had been cantor at the Klosterkirche. By the time of his retirement, he had performed and directed more than 1000 vespers services and concerts in Cottbus. Graap has composed more than 700 compositions in many forms, with a particular focus on organ and choral music.

Published by Musik-Edition Récit