The One Who Has Begun in You / Now Bless Us Richly, God Our God

Description

The One Who Has Begun in You / Now Bless Us Richly, God Our God
Der in euch angefangen hat/Es segne uns Gott, unser Gott

Johann Friedrich Peter

text: Phil. 1:6; Ps. 67:6b

SSAB
organ/piano
instr. parts (opt.): strings, two flutes, and organ

Organ part in a lower key, available.

$1.75

General Use, Benediction

Johann Friedrich Peter (1746-1813) was born in Heerendijk, Holland, to German Moravian parents. He was educated in Holland and Germany, and, with his brother Simon, came to America in 1770. Peter appears to have begun composing very shortly after his arrival in the new world. He served the Pennsylvania Moravians in Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Lititz, and was sent to Salem, NC, in 1780. There, among other duties, he assumed the position of music director for the community. He afterwards served Moravians in Graceham, MD; Hope, NJ; and Bethlehem, PA. J. F. Peter’s many works have earned him the reputation of being the most gifted of Moravian composers in America. His six string quintets, written in Salem and dated 1789, are the earliest known chamber music written in this country. He died in Bethlehem on July 13, 1813, shortly after playing for a children’s service.

The One Who Has Begun in You was edited from manuscript copies in the Salem Congregation Collection, originally scored for strings and organ. Now Bless Us Richly, God, Our God was edited from manuscript copies in the Salem Congregation and Herbst Collections, originally scored for strings, two flutes, and organ. Full score and parts are available from the Moravian Music Foundation.

Funding for this publication has been provided in memory of the Rt. Rev. Warren A. Sautebin (1921-2012), in recognition for his many years of faithful service to Jesus Christ through the Moravian Church, as pastor, administrator,  chair of the Interprovincial Hymnal Committee (1987-1995), bishop, mentor, and friend.