497 How bright appears the Morning Star
Words: William Mercer, after Philipp Nicolai
Music: Wie schon leuchtet, melody attributed to Philipp Nicolai, arranged and harmonized by J. S. Bach
From: Hymnary.org
Philipp Nicolai (b. Mengeringhausen, Waldeck, Germany, 1556; d. Hamburg, Germany, 1608) lived an eventful life–he fled from the Spanish army, sparred with Roman Catholic and Calvinist opponents, and ministered to plague-stricken congregations. Educated at Wittenberg University, he was ordained a Lutheran pastor in 1583 in the city of Herdecke. However, he was soon at odds with the Roman Catholic town council, and when Spanish troops arrived to reestablish Roman dominance, Nicolai fled. In 1588 he became chief pastor at Altwildungen and court preacher to Countess Argaretha of Waldeck. During that time Nicolai battled with Calvinists, who disagreed with him about the theology of the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. These doctrinal controversies were renewed when he served the church in Unna, Westphalia. During his time as a pastor there, the plague struck twice, and Nicolai wrote both "How Bright Appears the Morning Star" and "Wake, Awake." Nicolai's last years were spent as Pastor of St. Katherine's Church in Hamburg.
From: http://holytrinitydiolex.org/hymn-notes-10/
The original text to this German chorale was written by Lutheran pastor Philip Nicolai around 1599 for his chorale tune WIE SCHON LEUCHTET DER MORGENSTERN. However, that text has been altered many times by other writers and editors and bears little resemblance to the original. The altered version in Hymnal 1982 (H82) is the version that entered Hymnal 1916 (H16) and has become one of our most beloved Epiphany season hymns.
Nicolai’s tune WIE SCHON LEUCHTET DER MORGENSTERN is commonly known as the “Queen of Chorales.” This tune occurs in our hymnal in two different forms—its original rhythmic form (#496) and the metric (#497) form harmonized by J.S. Bach and used in several of his cantatas and organ works. Many organ compositions through the centuries are based on this tune. The prelude today presents such a composition by Pachelbel.
Enjoy this from St John’s in Detroit. The organ may be a little too loud form some tastes, but I love it. What a sound!!! YOUTUBE