Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654

Around 1740, Johann Sebastian Bach began to assemble and revise a group of chorales dating back to his time in Weimar which have become known today as the 'Great Eighteen' or Leipzig Chorales. Contained within this autograph is perhaps one of his most famous organ works, a setting of Crüger's melody which was written for Johann Franck's Eucharistic chorale Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele.

Bach crafts a sublime and beautifully ornamented setting of the melody but the real beauty is in the accompaniment, richly ornamented, pre-empting the melody, and set over a sarabande bass line. Both Mendelssohn and Schumann were greatly moved by this chorale nearly one hundred years later during the nineteenth century Bach revival. Schumann declared this prelude as 'priceless, deep, and full of soul as any any piece springing from a true artist's imagination'.

The Schnitger-Hinsz-Freytag organ of the Dorpskerk in Noordbroek is one of several historic organs in the Groningen area of Holland. The Dulciaan on the Rugpositief (heard here with the gentle tremulant) was added by Hinsz in 1768 and is perfect for this warm and lyrical chorale prelude.