Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 730 -

Simplicity can sometimes be deceptive. The melody Bach arranges here accompanies a humble, inward-looking prayer by Tobias Clausnitzer. The hymn consists of just two short phrases, and the second half of each phrase is identical as well. Yet the melody has so many possibilities that Bach made it into several short organ preludes. In his Orgelbüchlein (1708-1717), he wrote down two different arrangements, which could be played by organists according to their level of proficiency. And in fact the same applies to the two separate surviving arrangements, BWV 730 and BWV 731. BWV 730 sticks to simple solemnity, even through there is increasing decoration towards the end. Here Bach refrains from the ‘inventive’ interludes, in which he rather overindulged in his early years – to the annoyance of his patrons. The result is a chorale prelude that does full justice to the words, with a deep longing proceeding at a brisk pace towards fulfilment.
(source: All of Bach)