When the Neumeister Collection was rediscovered in 1985 by musicologist Christoph Wolff, the music world was treated to 38, in effect new, Bach chorale preludes, as well as unknown compositions by other Bach family members, Buxtehude, and others. But Wolff also did some analysis of the Bach works and was able to date most of them to the period of 1700-1708, the years prior to the composer's Weimar period. This chorale prelude, "Christ, der du bist der helle Tag" (Christ, You Are the Bright Day), was likely written around or shortly after 1700, the year Bach wrote a rather famous variations (or partita) version of this chorale, BWV 766. This lesser-known effort is still quite a worthwhile, if relatively diminutive work, lasting about two minutes compared with its larger sibling's ten or so. It is also much more simple and features rather modest contrapuntal activity. The work opens with the chorale theme given a majestic treatment in big chords. Bach then strips away some of the textures in the ensuing passages, though the mood remains glorious and joyful. In the latter part, the music takes on a measure of both serenity and seriousness, as sonorities spread farther apart on the keyboard registers.

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