MAC No. 12: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

Helmut Bornefeld (1906 - 1990) was born in Stuttgart. In the early 20s he became a trained gardener, but from 1924 on, he studied music and worked later as a piano teacher, choirmaster and composer in Esslingen. Becoming a victim of the Nazi propaganda Bornefeld studied church music and served as cantor and organist in Heidenheim from 1937 to 1971 and as organ expert until 1976, interrupted by WW II.

Besides songs, piano and chamber music he wrote numerous pieces for the service, his "Choralwerk". As an organ expert, he created a style of his own, in terms of both sound and technique, but also in architectural shape. 91 instruments were built after his plans or with his support, 30 of them are listed as protected monuments today. Bornefeld's organ dispositions are unique and it is often not easy to approach the sound he might have had in mind on other instruments.

Published by Carus in “Bornefeld, Choralvorspiele“, Vol. 1