The Neumeister Collection is a compilation of 82
chorale preludes found in a manuscript copy produced by
Johann Gottfried Neumeister (1757–1840). When the
manuscript was rediscovered at the Yale University in
the 1980s it appeared to contain 31 previously unknown
early chorale settings by Johann Sebastian Bach, which
were added to the BWV catalogue as Nos. 1090–1120 and
published in 1985.
This chorale prelude is one of 38 (or 36, if disputed
items are taken into account) attributed ...(+)
The Neumeister Collection is a compilation of 82
chorale preludes found in a manuscript copy produced by
Johann Gottfried Neumeister (1757–1840). When the
manuscript was rediscovered at the Yale University in
the 1980s it appeared to contain 31 previously unknown
early chorale settings by Johann Sebastian Bach, which
were added to the BWV catalogue as Nos. 1090–1120 and
published in 1985.
This chorale prelude is one of 38 (or 36, if disputed
items are taken into account) attributed to Bach from
the Neumeister Collection. Admirers of the composer, as
well as Baroque and organ music aficionados, had much
to rejoice about in the 1985 discovery of this
collection housing 82 chorales by several different
composers, including two Bach uncles. While the other
items in it are important, they pale in significance to
the 30-odd Bach works. This one, "Wie nach einer
Wasserquelle" (Like for a Spring of Water), finds the
young Bach giving a subdued and somewhat ethereal
treatment to this chorale tune. That approach is quite
in line with the spirit of the text, which Bach always
aimed at capturing in his chorale preludes. Here, the
music has an angelic glow, rising from the middle
ranges on its first appearance into the upper register
for further statements. Bach adorns the melody with
much colorful writing throughout, especially evident in
his skillfully crafted contrapuntal lines, which blend
and suggest, weave and highlight.
Although originally written for Organ, I created this
Arrangement of the Chorale Prelude "Wie nach einer
Wasserquelle" (Like for a Spring of Water) BWV 1119 for
Brass Trio (Bb Trumpet, French Horn & Euphonium).
PARTITION