J. S. Bach - Nun komm der heiden heiland BWV 661

J. S. Bach - Nun komm der heiden heiland BWV 661
Gregory Hamilton, Organ
The Hymn Nun komm der heiden heiland was a hymn particularly facinating to Bach, who composed two church cantatas and at least 5 settings for organ. Of the three that are included in the Leipzig Chorales, each of the three illustrates a particular theoplogy of the Advent and the coming of the Savior. The first BWV 559 is marked "Adagio", and is imbued with a sense of longing and mystery. The second, BWV 660 is a trio, and contains much symbolism, is confident and forthright in affect, and contains a beautiful ornamented elaboration of the hymn tune. The third setting, BWV 661 however, is clearly involved in not the "sucher kind" of the tiny baby in the manger at Bethlehem, but rather is illustrating the Parousia, the final coming of the judge and Majestic Lord of all time, and theologically and musically fleshes out the readings from the first Sunday of Advent. The Setting is marked "Organo Pleno" (Full Organ) and the hymn is powerfully underpinned by the Cantus Firmus representing Christ as the foundation of all.
Organ: Ross King 2013, in the Chapel of Holy Trinity Seminary, Irving Tx.
Art: Windows of Chartres cathedral.
Chartres Cathedral is home to the largest collection of preserved medieval stained-glass windows in the world. The windows are in an excellent state of conservation and are currently undergoing an active restoration phase to return them to their original splendor. Most of them date from the early years of the 13th century and they are an exceptional legacy of the thriving artistic, intellectual and spiritual activity of a time when Gothic Humanism was reaching full maturity.
www.gregoryhamilton.org

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