The publication of Volume I/1 is designed to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the first edition of the »Geist=reiches Gesang=Buch«. It contains the first half of the hymns originally published in that format and follows the 4th edition of 1708 (first edition 1704). Alongside the texts of the first 395 hymns printed in verse form, it presents a transcription of the melodies of 94 of the hymns as well as the original frontispiece, dedication, preface, and list of headings. Its oblong layout corresponds to the original hymn-book format and makes it especially well suited for use in church contexts.