Arnstadt
1. Wir Christenleut BWV 719
2. Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf BWV 719
3. Als Jesus Christus in der Nacht BWV 737
4. Jesu, meine Freude BWV 737
5. Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt BWV 737
Weimar
6. Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn BWV 60l
7. Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott BWV 602
8. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 599
9. Ouer natus in Bethlehem BWV 603
10. Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar BWV 607
11. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her BWV 606
12. Helft mir, Gottes Güte preisen BWV 613
13. Das alte Jahr vergangen ist BWV 614
14. Christe, du Lamm Gottes BWV 619
15. O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde Groß BWV 622
16. Christ lag in Todesbanden BWV 625
17. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland BWV 626
18. Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn BWV 630
19. Vater unser im HimmelreichBWV 636
20. Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf BWV 617
21. Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin BWV 616
22. Herzlich tut mich verlangen BWV 727
23. Alle Menschen müßen sterben BWV 643
Leipzig
24. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645
25. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 659
26. Meine Seele erhebet den Herrn BWV 648
27. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend BWV 655
28. Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654
29. Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein BWV 668
J. S. Bach Choral Preludes / Choral Settings ©
by Hans Helmut Tillmanns
Arnstadt
Within the entire work of Johann Sebastian Bach the choral preludes and settings for organ take an important
place. They are based on melodies of Protestant hymns. It is written in the “Ncumeister collection” that Johann
Sebastian Bach composed these choral settings already as a young man which was before 1705. So they must
have existed before his first employnent mainly at Arnstadt. In thesc choral settings by Bach one can hear the
influence of Johann Pachelbel, Georg Böhm and Michael Bach. Also in their various structure the models of
northem German organ fantasies can be recognised. Perhaps some of these choral settings might have been
written already at Ohrdruf because there are some very simple vocal-elaboration to find. On this CD there are five
choral settings from the “Neumeister collection” to be heard. They are of more significance to the fame of Bach.
Weimar
Those short passagcs of the “Orgelbtüchlein” are only enough to fill two pages. Bach demonstrated the different
possibilities of cantus-firmus-transcriptions, for instance a simple cantus-firmus in the soprano, alto, tenor or
bass ncxt to coloured or harmonic elaboration.
Leipzig
Thc last publication of choral settings by Johann Sebastian Bach was edited in 1748/49. Thc cditor was Schübler
at Zelle. The collcction numbers six chorales in various stylcs. They are derived from elder cantata passages. So
they are transcriptions which Bach used for the organ. On the CD there is to listen:” Wacheta auf…” and the Magnificat.
Shortly before the end of his artistic life Bach composed a collection with 18 choral settings. It proves a
comparable variety to his “Orgelbüchlein”. The CD gives four examples of this collection.
Mystical hiding and a subtle harmonic dominates this music. “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland.” The
fascinating meditation for Advent signifes God became human being.” Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend.” This
passage is similar to the Triosonaten of Bach. Therefore it receives a certain clearness and leads over to the melody
of choral in the pedals. “Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele.” This contemplative passage invites to take the Communion.
It is an eloquent and visionary poem of sound. ” Wenn wir in Höchsten Nöten sein. “With these words
Bach took his leave from thc world. He composed it on his deathbed as a blind man. He dictated this choral
setting to one of his friends. The melody sounds simple and unvarnished this from Bach well-known consequent
elaboration of musical topic. Is there any higher devotion to death than Bach’s message to us?
RELEASE DATE: May 1999
CATALOGUE NUMBER.: DACOCD 527
EAN: 5709499527009
