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 is one of 38 chorale preludes attributed to Bach
out of the 82 in the Neumeister Collectio...(+)
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 is one of 38 chorale preludes attributed to Bach
out of the 82 in the Neumeister Collection, which was
unearthed by organist/musicologist Christoph Wolff at
the Yale Library in 1985. The Bach works were a major
discovery, to be sure, even if a few of them are of
doubtful provenance and others are only of moderate
interest. This chorale prelude, "Herr Jesu Christ, du
höchstes Gut" (Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Highest Good),
was certainly not a negligible find, its music
relatively large in scope and high in quality. Lasting
about four minutes, the work begins in a somber mood
with a single line rising from the middle register that
sprouts other voices and takes on more substantial
textures. But this prelude never develops any
overwhelming sonorities, instead expressing its
generally melancholy music at less-imposing, often
restrained sound levels. The music develops a greater
sense of animation as it proceeds, owing to Bach's
subtle contrapuntal activity and his deft sense for
creating imaginative variants on the chorale theme.
Even when the music pulls back to a single line -- as
it does in one crucial passage midway through -- its
manner is always compelling, brimming with drama and
expressive depth.
Although originally written for Organ, I created this
Arrangement of the Chorale Prelude "Herr Jesu Christ,
du höchstes Gut" (Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Highest
Good) BWV 1114 for Brass Trio (Bb Trumpet, French Horn
& Euphonium).
PARTITION