Herzlich tut mich verlangen

This melody is one of the most famous and most used of the Lutheran church. It is for example also used for “Wie soll ich dich empfangen”, “Ach Herr mich arme Sünder”, “O haupt voll Blut und Wunden”. The melody was originally written by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612), though not for use church. Christoph Knott first introduced it for church use as melody for “Wie soll ich dich empfangen”.
As it is a popular melody, there is an abundance of chorale preludes employing this melody. Kauffmann and Kehl, though basing their work on different chorales, both employ the key of e flat major (or is it c minor? or g phrygian?). They have both a very distinct take on this famous melody. Kehl is the more ‘traditional’ one: a slow movement that employs the lamenting character of the melody.

Registration
Positiv: Rohrflöten 8', Salicional 8′, Undamaris 8′

Score available here: http://partitura.org/index.php/johann-balthasar-kehl-herzlich-tut-mich-verlangen/