O Jesu Christ, Thou Font of Grace

The second of Janacek's "Two Chorale Preludes" is "O Jesu Christ, Thou Fount of Grace" ("O Jesu Krist, du nadens brunn").

This lovely piece is based on the a tune by the German-Danish composer Christian Adolf Nystad, and was first published in 1542 in Magdeburg with the text "Van allen minschen affgewandt", and probably for the last time in Germany in 1738 with the text "An allen Menschen gar verzagt".

Known in Sweden from the 17th century, it is still used (at least in 1966!) in the Swedish Protestant Church.

It is a gentle flowing piece in 6/4, with a gentle "off-beat" feel here and there. Registration is as indicated by the composer: LH - 8' Diapason - played on the Prestant 8' of the Bovenwerk, with the RH on the Cornet, played here on the Hoofdwerk Octaaf 8', Roerfluit 8', Gemshoorn 4', and Sexquialter.

There is a simple, child-like feel to this, and the key of A-flat (F minor) adds a sense of softness to it. :-)