Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot

Johann Michael Bach (baptised 19 August [O.S. 9 August] 1648, Arnstadt, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen – 27 May [O.S. 17 May] 1694, Gehren) was a German composer of the Baroque period. He was the brother of Johann Christoph Bach, as well as first cousin, once removed and father-in-law of Johann Sebastian Bach (he was the father of J.S. Bach's first wife Maria Barbara Bach).
He is sometimes referred to as the "Gehrener Bach" to distinguish him from the "Wuppertaler Bach", Johann Michael Bach (musician at Wuppertal).

In 1673, Johann Michael became the organist and town clerk of Gehren, where he lived until his death.

His most-performed work is the small chorale prelude for organ, In Dulci Jubilo, which for many years was attributed to J. S. Bach (it was ascribed the catalog number BWV 751). His other most important works include several cantatas.

"Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot" (These are the holy Ten Commandments) is a hymn by the Protestant reformer Martin Luther based on the Ten Commandments. It appeared first in 1524 in the "Erfurt Enchiridion."

The reformer Martin Luther wrote the hymn in twelve stanzas of four lines each as a catechetical setting of the Ten Commandments. The commandments were used for confession and for instructions. After an introduction, stanzas 2 to 10 are related to the ten commandments; 11 and 12 provide a conclusion, related to Jesus.

The hymn also appeared in Johann Walter's choral hymnal "Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn" in 1524.

This set, very different from my previous upload by Johann Sebastian, is very unpretensious. To me, it seemed more in the style of Pachelbel.

Whether or not the Pachelbel comparison is correct, it caused me to do several works by JP, which I'll upload over the next few days.

The score is attached below, as well as a painting of Johann Michael Bach. A photo of his memorial in Gehren is also given below.

I have also included a likeness of the hymn's first appearance in "Erfurt Enchiridion" dated 1524.