Advent and Christmas (72): "Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter auf Erden" (BWV 650)

"Kommst du nun, Jesu,
vom Himmel herunter auf Erden?
Sollen nun Himmel
und Erde vereiniget werden?
Ewiger Gott!
Kann dich mein Jammer und Not
bringen zu Menschengebärden?"

This forgotten text to the well known melody of "Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren" (first published Stralsund 1665) was written in 1667 by Kaspar Friedrich. The content was connected in pietistic hymn books with birth and incarnation of Christ.

In the original version of this lively, agile aria from Bach's chorale same named cantata, a solo violin plays the obligat discant counterpoint part; the solo alto sings the colored chorale melody. The organ version relocates the chorale melody including the decorations to the pedal (trumpet) and transmits the virtuoso treble voice which its violinistic character to the right hand.

This popular work is part of the "Schübler-collection", consisting of six organ transmissions of Bach's cantata arias, published by the Zella cantor Johann Georg Schübler in 1748. Musicians estimated this collection very high. The Leipzig Theologian Johann Friedrich Köhler wrote even in 1776: "so beautiful, so new, so inventive that they will be never out of date, but will survive all fashion revolutions in music".

As "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (BWV 645)
https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/49416
and "Meine Seele erhebt den Herren" (BWV 645),
https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/49637
this piece relates to the Advent time.

Recorded with the beautiful OAM-Set of Poblet.