O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde gross BWV 622

O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß (O Man, bewail your great sins) is one of Bach’s most famous chorale preludes; he uses the same melody in the closing chorus at the end of the first part of the St Matthew Passion. Composed as part of his incomplete Orgelbüchlein, it differs from most of the pieces in the collection by virtue of its length and highly ornamented melody. This is accompanied by a relatively simple harmonisation with an extraordinary chromatic twist in the final cadence. There is no denying extraordinary beauty of this chorale prelude, which is surely one of Bach’s greatest.

The Engler organ of Krzezsów Basilica is one of the great jewels of the organ world. The soft tones and meantone temperament are perfectly suited to this personal and intimate pieces.