Herzlich tut mich verlangen (op. 122 nr 10)

Again a choral prelude with the famous melody of "O Haupt vol Blut und Wunden" and again meant as the prelude of another chorale with a different text though the same melody "Herzlich tut mich verlangen".

This beautiful composition of Brahms has always been one of my favorites. I like the dark colours he uses and the broad sweeping lines he writes.
Problem for me in playing Brahms is that his music is not really fitted to my hands. I have very small hands, Brahms had rather large ones. I have to stretch uncomfortably to play this piece.
It's worth it, though.

Before starting to practise this piece, I had the sound I wanted already in me head. I wanted to emphasize Brahms' dark colours and wanted the choral melody to be discernable, yet to blend in with the accompaniment. I did not want a reed or a high pitched stop for the solo voice, only 8 feet principals for all voices.

It was quite a search before I found a sample set where I could realise the sound I wanted, with the right balance between the pedal part and the two manuals this composition prescribes. I finally found it in the sample set of the organ of St. Bartholomäus church in Friesach.