Chorale and Variations on Erhalt uns Herr
The tune ERHALT UNS, HERR commonly associated with “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word,” “The Glory of These Forty Days,” “The Law of God Is Good and Wise,” and several other titles, is set as a chorale arrangement with two variations. The first variation has the melody in the lower bells with an eighth and quarter note motive weaving in and out of the upper bells. The second variation modulates to E minor and is grand and slow-moving, still working in the earlier motive throughout. The ending builds with shakes and to a final fortissimo. This piece works great as service music or as an introduction to the hymn.