Chorale prelude "Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn"

From Page 11 of "Seasonal Chorale Preludes for Manuals Only" - Book 1 - edited by C. H. Trevor we find an interesting work by Walther.

Based upon the Epiphany chorale "Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn" it bears remarkable stylistic similarity to an Orgelbüchlein chorale prelude on the same melody (BWV 601). One wonders which came first - the chicken or the egg. Did Walther get his idea for this composition after hearing Bach's composition, or vice versa!

To me, the musical texture and the words of the chorale call for a strong registration. On the Arlesheim organ I've used foundations of 8 and 4 across all keyboards coupled, together with the HW Cornet, the RP Cornet Separé and the REC 8-foot reed.

As with Bach's work, the CF is in the soprano. I've kept this legato throughout, but "breathing" at the end of each line.

The accompaniment figuration derives its phrasing from the opening LH notes, and especially from the quaver rest which precedes them. The downwards octave leaps and their associated chords in the middle of the texture are played detached. Maintaining this phrasing throughout beneath the soaring CF drives the momentum forward.