BECHLER

Composer: Johann Christian Bechler

John Christian Bechler (Jan. 7, 1784 – Apr. 18, 1857) was a Moravian bishop, educator, and composer. Born on Oesel Island (now part of Estonia), he was trained in Moravian schools and served in the United States as professor and principal at Nazareth Hall and the Bethlehem Seminary before returning to Europe for wider leadership. An accomplished organist, he composed several anthems and hymn tunes, notably Eternal Praise (also called Bechler), written about 1812 for John Swertner’s text Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord. His music remains a cherished element of Moravian worship. J. S. McDuff (from Moravian Church historical records and early-nineteenth-century hymn collections in the public domain, retrieved 9/15/2025) Go to person page >

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Tune Information

Title: BECHLER
Composer: Johann Christian Bechler
Meter: 8.6.8.6.8.8.8.6
Incipit: 51122 34543 3221
Key: A♭ Major
Copyright: Public Domain
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Timeline

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Arrangements

Organ Solo

  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 36 Number 1 September 2001: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; John Christian Bechler
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2001) pp. 3
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 36 Number 1 September 2001: The Organist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; John Christian Bechler
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2001) pp. 3
  • From Prelude to Postlude: Service Music for the Church Organist
    Composer/Editor Roy W. Brunner
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1999) pp. 37
  • The Hymnlet: A Choice Collection of Hymns and Hymntunes from 17th, 18th, & 19th Century American Hymnals, Songbooks and Psalters
    Composer/Editor Samuel Walter
    Published By: The Organ Historical Society, Inc. (1976) pp. 30
More arrangements^ top

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #6080
Text: Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)
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Instances

Instances (1 - 8 of 8)

Great Songs of the Church (Revised) #179

Great Songs of the Church (Revised) #179

Hymnal #67

Hymnal #67
TextPage Scan

Hymns to the Living God #21

Hymns to the Living God #21
TextPage Scan

Moravian Book of Worship #543

Moravian Book of Worship #543
TextPage Scan

Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #168

Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #168
Audio

Small Church Music #676

Small Church Music #676
TextPage Scan

The Celebration Hymnal #13

The Celebration Hymnal #13
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #6080

The Cyber Hymnal #6080
Include 7 pre-1979 instances
All instances^ top
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