Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott (BWV 602)
from Das Orgelbüchlein by Johann Sebastian Bach
Background
The melody of this Advent chorale derives from the Gregorian hymn "Conditor alme siderum." Although the original tune is in the phyrgian mode, only the final phrase of the Orgelbuchlein setting contains "phyrgian" harmonies, with a final on A, harmonized as an A-major chord. The second phrase of the tune ends exactly like the last, but the cadence there is in F major. In the opening phrase, Bach disguises the melody's phrygian character by rewriting the two B-flats as B-naturals.[1]
Registration and Organs
A lighter registration of flues at 8' and 4' in the manual and at 16' and 8' in the pedal, can effectively serve the musical qualities of the prelude."[2]
Example: 8' Gemshorn, 4' Octave in Manuals
16' Lieblich Gedeck, 8' Principle (or 8' Flute) in Pedal
See the footnote in the "Notes" section at the bottom of the page [3]
Fingering and Pedaling
The pedal part consists of three extended descending lines, the ideal of catabasis, which might refer to Christ's descent from heaven in the Nativity.[4]
Play the pedal part with alternating toes. Pay attention to the break you make between the octave leaps, and the break that happens following the ties quarter note and sixteenth note.
Articulation and Phrasing
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Ornamentation
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Tempo and Meter
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Scores and Editions
- Completely fingered in early fingering styles. Includes helpful information on the original chorales and performing the works.
J. S. Bach: Orgelbuchlein (ed. Robert Clark and John David Peterson)
- Includes helpful information on the original chorales and performing the works.
Recordings
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Free Online
James Kibbie, 1717 Trost organ, St. Walpurgis, Großengottern, Germany, using Lieblich Gedackt 8, Principal 4 in the Positiv; Subbass 16, Bordun 8, Octave 4 in the Pedal.
Pay to Listen
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Other Resources
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Notes
- ↑ Stinson, Rusll, "BACH: The OrgelbuchleinSchirmer Books, New York (1996), 105.
- ↑ Johann Sebastian Bach: Orgelbuchlein. Ed. Robert Clark and John David Peterson. (St. Louis, MO: Concordia, 1984), 34.
- ↑ This footnote was entered in the "Registration and Organs" article.
- ↑ Boehnke, Paul B., Diapason March 1985, Vol. 76, 10.
This space is for automatic insertion of footnotes. To enter a footnote from anywhere in the article, start by typing the tag <ref> and then enter the text, and type the tag </ref> to end the footnote. The footnote will then appear in this "Notes" section automatically.
