The Orgelbüchlein ("Little Organ Book") BWV 599-644 is
a collection of 46 chorale preludes for organ written
by Johann Sebastian Bach. All but three of them were
composed during the period 1708–1717, while Bach was
court organist at the ducal court in Weimar. The
remaining three, along with a short two-bar fragment,
were added in 1726 or later, after Bach's appointment
as cantor at the Thomasschule in Leipzig.
The collection was originally planned as a set of 164
chorale preludes spa...(+)
The Orgelbüchlein ("Little Organ Book") BWV 599-644 is
a collection of 46 chorale preludes for organ written
by Johann Sebastian Bach. All but three of them were
composed during the period 1708–1717, while Bach was
court organist at the ducal court in Weimar. The
remaining three, along with a short two-bar fragment,
were added in 1726 or later, after Bach's appointment
as cantor at the Thomasschule in Leipzig.
The collection was originally planned as a set of 164
chorale preludes spanning the whole liturgical year.
The chorale preludes form the first of Bach's
masterpieces for organ with a mature compositional
style in marked contrast to his previous compositions
for the instrument. Although each of them takes a known
Lutheran chorale and adds a motivic accompaniment, Bach
explored a wide diversity of forms in the
Orgelbüchlein. Many of the chorale preludes are short
and in four parts, requiring only a single keyboard and
pedal, with an unadorned cantus firmus. Others involve
two keyboards and pedal: these include several canons,
four ornamental four-part preludes, with elaborately
decorated chorale lines, and a single chorale prelude
in trio sonata form. The Orgelbüchlein has a four-fold
purpose: it is a collection of organ music for church
services, a treatise on composition, a religious
statement, and an organ-playing manual.
In these chorale preludes, the traditional Lutheran
hymns are subjected to various types of polyphonic
treatment, with different types of countersubjects and
imitative devices. The two pieces chosen by Mr. Escaich
show two different compositional approaches: in the New
Year chorale In dir ist Friede ("In You is Peace"), the
melody is heard in close four-part imitation,
elaborating on the very first two measures of the tune
in particular. The Easter hymn Christ ist erstanden
("Christ Has Risen"), by contrast, is given in three
variations; what is remarkable is that not only the
countersubjects change from one variation to the next
but the melody itself undergoes slight modifications.
However, the chorale melody doesn't wander from voice
to voice but stays in the treble all the way
through.
The first phrase of this hymn (Herr Jesu Christ, dich
zu uns wend) is distinguished by its strong triadic
nature (on the notes F-A-C-A). The F major triad
permeates this brief chorale, with the voices
proceeding canonically throughout. In the third phrase,
the bass follows the soprano not in augmentation as in
BWV 607, but in diminution (in eighth notes to the
soprano's quarters). Canonic writing in Bach's sacred
music is often interpreted as symbolizing adherence to
religious teachings, and indeed the text of the hymn
exhorts Christ to "lead us on the path to truth." All
four voices follow the leader rigorously, but within
the canonic framework, Bach constructs a truly charming
piece. Listen for the Oboe and English Horn conversing
quietly in light patches, while a soft Oboe and Bassoon
proclaim the melody.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgelb%C3%BCchlein).
Although originally created for Organ, I created this
Interpretation of Choral Prelude (BWV 632) "Herr Jesu
Christ, dich zu uns wend" (Lord Jesus Christ, turn to
us) for Double-Reed Quartet (2 Oboes, English Horn &
Bassoon).
SHEET MUSIC