Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 647

The group of pieces, BWV 645–650, is a set of chorale preludes composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Johann Georg Schübler, after whom the collection came to be named, published it in 1747 or before August 1748, in Zella St. Blasii. At least five preludes of the compilation are transcribed from movements in Bach's church cantatas, mostly chorale cantatas he had composed around two decades earlier.

The third of the collection is the prelude on "Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten." The chorale was composed by Georg Neumark (1621-1681) in 1657.

Bach sets the chorale in a manner testifying to the unswerving and steady faith in God. The music never "loses its way" but remains steadfast throughout.

I wanted to demonstrate a Bach piece played upon the Hill, and chose this one after seeing that it was being played on the rededication of a large cathedral Willis.

Sometimes it is necessary, and probably likely, that you'll need to use "innovative methods" to achieve the sound you are seeking.

For this performance, I used:

Great: 3rd Open Diapason 8', Stopped Diapason 8', Harmonic Flute 4', coupled to:

Choir: Flute 4' and to:

Solo: Quintatön 16' played "as" an 8' stop with the super coupler.

For the melody:

Swell: Horn 8', 2nd Open Diapason 8' coupled to the Pedal at 4' pitch.

The sound is not "authentic," but pleasing, I hope.

The score is attached below, as well as the title page of the original publication of the Schübler Chorales, as well as a drawing of Georg Neumark, composer of the chorale melody.

The text of the first verse and the English translation are given in the First Comment.