Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV 223

Buxtehudes' choral prelude to "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" is a multipart work. The first two parts show the choral melody in a relatively simple setting, first in the bass, then in the soprano voice. The music grows quickly more complex after that, with first a fantasy and then a fugue based on the choral melody. The last rhapsodic section is a brilliant finale with rapid notes and in the last four bars even the pedals join the fun.

I had no idea how to play such a multi faceted work. So I listened to earlier uploads of this work by Edo, Enrico and Wolfram, to get an idea of how this should or could be played. So if you hear similarities between my playing and theirs, that's because I was inspired by their way of playing this piece. I learned a lot from their examples. Thanks, gentlemen!

Score available here: http://partitura.org/index.php/dietrich-buxtehude-wie-schon-leuchtet-der-morgenstern-buxwv-223/