Dietrich Buxtehude is probably most familiar to modern classical music audiences as the man who inspired the young Johann Sebastian Bach to make a lengthy pilgrimage to Lubeck, Buxtehude's place of employment and residence for most of his life, just to hear Buxtehude play the organ. But Buxtehude was a major figure among German Baroque composers in his own right. Though we do not have copies of much of the work that most impressed his contemporaries, Buxtehude nonetheless left behind a body of vocal and instrumental music which is distinguished by its contrapuntal skill, devotional atmosphere, and raw intensity. He helped develop the form of the church cantata, later perfected by Bach, and he was just as famous a virtuoso on the organ.

This chorale prelude consists of two small organ versets on the Lutheran chorale Ach Gott und Herr. It would have likely been played in alternation with the choir or congregation singing various verses of the chorale tune. The text of the chorale deals with the subject of confession. Verses 1 and 3 best encapsulate the religious theme of sin and redemption highlighted in this chorale: 1 -- "Ah my Lord God, how heavy and great are the sins I've committed! There is no one to be found on earth that can help." 3 -- "I call to Thee, Don't reject me although I deserve rejection. Ah God, don't be angry, don't judge me, Thy son has redeemed me."

Buxtehude sets the first verset with the chorale melody appearing un-ornamented in the tenor. In the second verset the chorale melody appears in the soprano ornamented enough that sometimes the melody is difficult to trace. The ornamentation style resembles that of Franz Tunder and Matthias Weckmann and other composers of the previous generation. While there is little concrete information to date Buxtehude's organ works, the style of this works suggests that Ach Gott und Herr was among his earlier works.

Source: AllMusic (https://www.allmusic.com/composition/chorale-prelude-f or-organ-in-d-minor-buxwv-177-ach-gott-und-herr-mc00023 56693 ).

I created this Interpretation of the Choral Prelude: "Ach Gott und Herr" (BuxWV 177) for Double-Reed Quartet (2 Oboes, English Horn & Bassoon).