This prelude is set in a four-part texture, the first two phrases of the melody correspond to a long first part in four-time, with imitative, even fugal, writing based on the chorale, accompanied by an attractive variety of rhythmic figures. The second, shorter, part of the prelude is based on the final two chorale phrases, in three-time, maintaining the contrapuntal imitation, but freer - note the striking two-part scale that can be heard before the final bars, surely a musical reflection of the text which refers to the ‘rising up’ of the believer’s body, buried in anticipation of the Judgement Day.

from notes by George Parsons © 2017