This little prelude, based on the famous chorale often used in Bach’s Passion settings in which the believer prays for a peaceful death after the trials of earthly life, is beautifully simple. The text of this chorale often drew from Bach startlingly original harmonies; yet in this case the harmonic surprises are more subtle—for example mixing D major and B minor in the opening phrase to allow the chorale to start with, essentially, an interrupted cadence. The melody is given expressive—even yearning—treatment above straightforward harmony, interspersed with expressive gestures such as the accented passing notes, octave leaps and rising chromatic lines of the pedal.

from notes by George Parsons © 2015