Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BuxWV 184

Thought to have been adapted from a plainsong melody, Martin Luther's 1531 chorale is as robust as the psalm it paraphrases, Psalm 46 ('God is our strength and refuge: a very present help in trouble'). Buxtehude's setting is richly ornamented, with the melody given as usual to the right hand with a relatively simple three voice accompaniment in the left hand and feet. I thought the fanfare like nature of the setting merited a Trompet solo on the Hoofdwerk accompanied by a sprightly Vox Humana on the Bovenwerk.