How Brightly Beams the Morning Star

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Beautiful Glorious Calming Music! How Brightly Beams the Morning Star was written by Philipp Nicolai, in 1599, and Harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach. In 1597, a pestilence raged throughout Westphalia. Thousands of people died and few families escaped without the loss of one or more of their loved ones. Out of this pestilence sprang one of the grandest of hymns, How Brightly Beams the Morning Star. Philipp Nicolai, author and composer of the hymn was pastor at Unna. the pestilence had alrady taken its toll of several of his relatives. Early one morning as he sat in his study, weary and downcast, he lifted p his heart to God, andfound comfort in his sorrow. He forgot his cares and was seized with the inspiration to write the lines of Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern (How Brightly Beams the Morning Star). Nicolai first published his hymn in his Freuden-Spiegel des ewigen Lebeus (Meditation on Eternal Life) in 1599. The tune was soon played on chimes and has resounded from church belfries of Germany to this day. It was used for almost all religious occasions, especially weddings, funerals, and communion. As early as 1610. Nicolai's hymn appeared in the hymnals of Sweden, where it was especially used as an offertory during the Christmas season. The melody, which has been called the "Queen of Chorales", may have been suggested in part b earlier melodies. Johann Sebastian Bach apparently had a high regard for the tune, for he used it as a basic theme in one of his greatest organ preludes and included it in one of his cantatas. To many Philipp Nicolai may be remembered as the composer of another stirring hymn, Wachet auf (Wake Awake). Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Lynnae Larson