"Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her" BWV606

It isn't often that I play Bach. Other people have him covered and to a far better standard than me. I prefer romantic works generally, but this is one of my favourite pieces by Bach.

I watched Carols from Kings on BBC over Christmas and it brought back memories of when I, as a young organist with meager skills (they haven't grown much since then!), was allowed to play the organ a couple times in the chapel. It was a wonderful experience. Hauptwerk can't replicate those sounds reverberating around the beautiful chapel but it can replicate the joy and emotions I felt that day, being able to play such quality instruments in my own home. This piece ends the BBC show every year and is a standard work for Christmas concerts and services all over the world.

Here you will hear the principal chorus of Great and Swell with the mixtures and Swell Harmonic Trumpet. Then there is a version with the Solo Trumpet en chamade added.

Hope you enjoy.

John