Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes

Gottfried August Homilius (2 February 1714 – 2 June 1785) was a German composer, cantor and organist. He is considered one of the most important church composers of the generation following Bach's, and was the main representative of the empfindsamer style. (The German "empfindsamer stil" seeks to express personal emotions and sensitivity.

Homilius was born in Rosenthal, Saxony, the son of a Lutheran pastor, and was educated at the Annenschule in Dresden. He then studied law at Leipzig University and the organ under Johann Sebastian Bach. From 1742 he was organist at the Dresden Frauenkirche, and from 1755 until his death cantor at the Kreuzkirche in Dresden with the associated responsibility of music director at the Kreuzkirche, the Sophienkirche, and the Frauenkirche. After the destruction of the Kreuzkirche during the Seven Years' War he worked mainly at the Frauenkirche.

Homilius predominantly composed church music: more than 10 passions, an oratorio for Christmas (1777) and one for Easter, over 60 motets, more than 150 cantatas (six arias from these appeared in 1786), chorales, preludes, and choral works.

This a VERY late entry into the Passiontide uplaods. but it is a nice piece, which I hope my listeners will enjoy.

I don't believe that this is actually a Passiontide hymn, as there are two versions of the text. One is for Communion, and the other is for Penitence. So, we'll give ourselves the liberty of saying that this is for the later... ;-)

In the key of F minor, it is an exquisite and expressive trio.

The score is attached below, as well as a likeness of Gottfried August Homilius done in 1782.

I wish you all peace and blessings of this holy season.