Bach Query

Aryeh Oron wrote (May 13, 2006)):
I received the following message off-list:

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I got your e-mail from the Bach Cantata's website and am hoping you can help me. I have a Bach piece which I learnt on the piano but I think it was originally written for organ or some kind of clavichord/harpsichord instrument. I am trying to get a CD with the piece on to use at my wedding but it is proving difficult to work out what the piece is. The only information on the music score is the title "In thy love let us perish" which doesn't seem to feature on any CD's that I have seen. Have you heard of this title?

I look forward to hearing from you & thank you for your help,

Clare Morris

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After some search I have found that this is one of 5 arrangements for piano of Bach pieces by Alec Rowley. I believe that the arrangement was done in the late 1940's - early 1950's. But I do not know the name of the Bach organ work (Chorale Prelude, I assume).

I hope some of you might help.

Thanks,

Peter Smaill wrote (May 13, 2006)):
"Let us perish in Thy love....?"

Could this not be a very loose translation of "Ertoet uns durch deine gute", the beautiful final Chorale elaboration closing the probe-Cantata, BWV 22, "Jesu nahm zu sich die Zwoelfe?" Usually expressed in awkward English as "Mortify us by Thy goodness".

The arranger, whatever the piece is, was Organist of St Margaret's Westminster, the (relatively) little church in the shadow of the Abbey and often the scene of English society weddings. A composer in his own right, a blog search reveals that he was a keen tennis player and expired on the court!

I am not sure how these English words used for this version of the title could be accommodated to the music if it is to be sung as distinct from played instrumentally. If this is the piece, indeed a lovely choice for a wedding.

Iman de Zwarte wrote (May 13, 2006)):
Peter Smaill wrote:
< "Let us perish in Thy love....?"
Could this not be a very loose translation of "Ertoet uns durch deine gute", the beautiful final Chorale elaboration closing the probe-Cantata, BWV 22, "Jesu nahm zu sich die Zwoelfe?" Usually expressed in awkward English as "Mortify us by Thy goodness". >
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or "Sanctify us by Thy goodness"

free download at: http://home20.inet.tele.dk/pbaekgaard/ertodt.pdf