Prelude on "Herzlich tut mich verlangen" (Ten Chorale Preludes, Set II, No. 9)

Gerald Near (b. 1942) was born in Chicago studied composition at the American Conservatory of Music Leo Sowerby . He studied at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor at Leslie Bassett (composition), Robert Glasgow (organ) and Elizabeth AH Green (conducting) and continued his composition studies at the University of Minnesota at Dominick Argento continued.

After working as a choirmaster at the Calvary Church in Rochester / Minnesota Near from 1983 was musical director and organist at the St. Matthew's Cathedral in Dallas / Texas and composer in residence at the Cathedral of St. John in Denver / Colorado. Eventually he became choir director and cantor at Holy Faith Episcopal Church in Santa Fe / New Mexico. He composes mostly sacred music, including masses, motets and hymns and organ works.

The "Ten Chorale Preludes, Set II" were published by Aureole Editions in 1995. They comprise a collection of mostly small (but not all easy!), well-crafted and appealing preludes based upon well-known hymn melodies.

The ninth one, "Herzlich tut mich verlangen", is based upon the famous "Passion Chorale" by Hans Leo Hassler. It's a very sophisticated and unique setting, as it seems to combine two "versions" of the melody in a "simultaneous" sort of way. The right hand is played upon the Great flutes 8' and 4' along with the twelfth (2 2/3'), while the "high lying" right hand is played upon stops from the Solo - the clarinet, harmonic f flute, and the violoncello. It's a special texture, as the "chords" played upon these solo stops against the "individual" notes of the right hand makes a moving and pungent effect.

The piece is dedicated to David Chalmers.

A photo of Gerald Near is attached below.

These little miniatures have what it takes to stand "on their own," so, this is how I've chosen to upload them.