Midnight Improvisation: "Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit"

Improvisation on the chorale tune composed by Johann Rudolph Ahle, (1625-1673, Mühlhausen)

The tune is often associated with the text:

Come, Thou bright and Morning Star,
Light of Light without beginning;
Shine upon us from afar
That we may be kept from sinning.
Drive away by Thy clear light
Our dark night.

Let Thy grace, like morning dew
Falling soft on barren places,
Comfort, quicken, and renew
Our dry souls and dying graces;
Bless Thy flock from Thy rich store
Evermore.

May Thy fervent love destroy
Our cold works, in us awaking
Ardent zeal and holy joy
At the purple morn's first breaking.
Let us truly rise ere yet
Life has set.

German, 17th century

Freiherr Christian Knorr von Rosenroth Translator: Richard Massie