This is a melancholy setting, the affect projected by chromatic writing in a modal C minor and a ‘Largo’ marking . Two motifs dominate—the opening anapaest (short-short-long), and the pedal four semiquavers-after-a-rest. The affect of the setting links to its text, expressing ‘fervent longing’ (Spitta), the 1653 Epiphany text speaking of the believer’s desire for Christ.

from notes by George Parsons © 2019