Erbarm dich mein, O Herre Gott

Johann Nicolaus [Nikolaus] Hanff 1665-1711) was a German organist and composer of the North-German organ school.

Only few details are known about his life.
He was a music teacher in Hamburg and held several posts as a church musician.

The seven-year-old Johann Mattheson was his pupil, and learned with him composition and piano for four years.

Until 1696 Hanff was organist at the Eutiner Hof of the prince-bishop of Lübeck.

After the death of bishop August Friedrich and the dissolution of the Eutiner Hof, probably in 1705, Hanff returned to Hamburg, where his two children were born in 1706 and 1711.

On August 26, 1711 he took over the organist chair at the Schleswiger Dom, however he died some months later.

This chorale prelude consists of two parts, in the Harmonia edition asiigned to Vers 1 and Vers 2 and joined as one piece.
In another newer edition Vers 2 is a separate prelude.
Considering the motive, which is practically the same in Vers 1 and 2 I played it as indicated in Harmonia.

Vers 1: HW Octav 8
RW Princ 8, Oct 4, Sesquialtera
Ped Subbas 16, Octav 8
Vers 2 :HW Gedact 8
RW Trechterregal 8
Ped Subbas 16
Tremulant on both verses