Orgelbüchlein: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
by [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]
These 46 short chorales were composed while he was court organist at the ducal court in Weimar (1708–1714).
 
==Choosing a piece==


For details, see the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgelb%C3%BCchlein Wikipedia article]
The Orgelbüchlein collection represents a wide range of technical difficulty: any piece, or level, is appropriate for the service playing exam. The table below assigns a difficulty grouping for each piece, 1 being the most accessible, 5 being the most challenging. (The groupings are adapted from Quentin Faulkner. <ref>Faulkner, Quentin, ed. J.S. Bach, Basic Organ Works: Orgelbüchlein and Three Free Works. Historical Techniques and Repertoire, vol. 2. Edited by Wayne Leopuld. Boston: Wayne Leupold Editions, 1997, 32-33. </ref>)


==The Chorales==
==The Chorales==
{| class="sortable wikitable" border="1"
{| class="sortable wikitable" border="1"
|+ Click to sort by Composer, Dates, or Nationality
|+ Click to sort by BWV number, Title, or Season
|+ *Information is entered concerning this work
|-
|-
! scope="col" | BWV
! scope="col" | BWV
! scope="col" | Is there info?
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Season
! scope="col" | Season
! scope="col" | Level of Difficulty
|-
| 599 ||*|| [[Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 599)|Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland]] || Advent || 1
|-
| 600 || || [[Gott, durch deine Güte (Gottes-Sohn ist kommen) (BWV 600)|Gott, durch deine Güte (Gottes-Sohn ist kommen)]] || Advent || 4
|-
| 601 ||*|| [[Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes-Sohn (Herr Gott, nun sei gepreiset) (BWV 601)|Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes-Sohn (Herr Gott, nun sei gepreiset)]] || Advent || 3
|-
| 602 ||*|| [[Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott (BWV 602)|Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott]] || Advent || 3
|-
| 603 || || [[Puer natus in Bethlehem (BWV 603)|Puer natus in Bethlehem]] || Christmas || 3
|-
| 604 || || [[Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (BWV 604)|Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ]] || Christmas || 1
|-
| 605 || || [[Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich (BWV 605)|Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich]] || Christmas || 4
|-
| 606 || || [[Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her (BWV 606)|Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her]] || Christmas || 3
|-
| 607 || || [[Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar (BWV 607)|Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar]] || Christmas || 4
|-
| 608 ||*|| [[In dulci jubilo (BWV 608)|In dulci jubilo]] || Christmas || 4
|-
| 609 || || [[Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich (BWV 609)|Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich]] || Christmas || 3
|-
| 610 || || [[Jesu, meine Freude (BWV 610)|Jesu, meine Freude]] || Christmas || 2
|-
| 611 || || [[Christum wir sollen loben schon (BWV 611)|Christum wir sollen loben schon]] || Christmas || 3
|-
| 612 || || [[Wir Christenleut' (BWV 612)|Wir Christenleut']] || Christmas || 4
|-
| 613 || || [[Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen (BWV 613)|Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen]] || New Year || 4
|-
| 614 ||*|| [[Das alte Jahr vergangen ist (BWV 614)|Das alte Jahr vergangen ist]] || New Year || 5
|-
| 615 || || [[In dir ist Freude (BWV 615)|In dir ist Freude]] || New Year || 4
|-
| 616 || || [[Mit Fried' und Freud' ich fahr' dahin (BWV 616)|Mit Fried' und Freud' ich fahr' dahin]] || Epiphany || 3
|-
| 617 || || [[Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf (BWV 617)|Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf]] || Epiphany || 4
|-
| 618 || || [[O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig (BWV 618)|O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig]] || Lent || 3
|-
| 619 ||*|| [[Christe, du Lamm Gottes (BWV 619)|Christe, du Lamm Gottes]] || Lent || 2
|-
| 620 || || [[Christus, der uns selig macht (BWV 620)|Christus, der uns selig macht]] || Lent || 4
|-
| 621 || || [[Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund (BWV 621)|Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund]] || Lent || 2
|-
| 622 || || [[O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß (BWV 622)|O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß]] || Lent || 5
|-
| 623 || || [[Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ (BWV 623)|Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ]] || Lent || 3
|-
| 624 || || [[Hilf Gott, daß mir's gelinge (BWV 624)|Hilf Gott, daß mir's gelinge]] || Lent || 4
|-
| 625 ||*|| [[Christ lag in Todesbanden (BWV 625)|Christ lag in Todesbanden]] || Easter || 2
|-
| 626 || || [[Jesus Christus, unser Heiland (BWV 626)|Jesus Christus, unser Heiland]] || Easter || 3
|-
|-
| 599 || [[Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland]] || Advent
| 627 || || [[Christ ist erstanden (BWV 627)|Christ ist erstanden]] || Easter || 3
|-
|-
| 600 || [[Gott, durch deine Güte (Gottes-Sohn ist kommen)]] || Advent
| 628 || || [[Erstanden ist der heil'ge Christ (BWV 628)|Erstanden ist der heil'ge Christ]] || Easter || 3
|-
|-
| 601 || [[Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes-Sohn (Herr Gott, nun sei gepreiset)]] || Advent
| 629 || || [[Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag (BWV 629)|Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag]] || Easter || 3
|-
|-
| 602 || [[Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott]] || Advent
| 630 || || [[Heut' triumphieret Gottes Sohn (BWV 630)|Heut' triumphieret Gottes Sohn]] || Easter || 4
|-
|-
| 603 || [[Puer natus in Bethlehem]] || Christmas
| 631 || || [[Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist (BWV 631)|Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist]] || Pentecost || 3
|-
|-
| 604 || [[Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ]] || Christmas
| 632 || || [[Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend' (BWV 632)|Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend']] || Pentecost || 3
|-
|-
| 605 || [[Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich]] || Christmas
| 633 || || [[Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (BWV 633)|Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier]] || || 2
|-
|-
| 606 || [[Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her]] || Christmas
| 634 || || [[Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (alt. version of BWV 633) (BWV 634)|Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (alt. version of BWV 633)]] || || 2
|-
|-
| 607 || [[Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar]] || Christmas
| 635 || || [[Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot' (BWV 635)|Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot']] || || 4
|-
|-
| 608 || [[In dulci jubilo]] || Christmas
| 636 || || [[Vater unser im Himmelreich (BWV 636)|Vater unser im Himmelreich]] || || 3
|-
|-
| 609 || [[Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich]] || Christmas
| 637 ||*|| [[Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt (BWV 637)|Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt]] || || 3
|-
|-
| 610 || [[Jesu, meine Freude]] || Christmas
| 638 || || [[Es ist das Heil uns kommen her (BWV 638)|Es ist das Heil uns kommen her]] || || 3
|-
|-
| 611 || [[Christum wir sollen loben schon]] || Christmas
| 639 ||*|| [[Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (BWV 639)|Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ]] || || 1
|-
|-
| 612 || [[Wir Christenleut']] || Christmas
| 640 || || [[In dich hab' ich gehoffet, Herr (BWV 640)|In dich hab' ich gehoffet, Herr]] || || 3
|-
|-
| 613 || [[Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen]] || New Year
| 641 || || [[Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein (BWV 641)|Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein]] || || 5
|-
|-
| 614 || [[Das alte Jahr vergangen ist]] || New Year
| 642 || || [[Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten (BWV 642)|Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten]] || || 2
|-
|-
| 615 || [[In dir ist Freude]] || New Year
| 643 ||*|| [[Alle Menschen müssen sterben (BWV 643)|Alle Menschen müssen sterben]] || || 2
|-
| 644 || || [[Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig (BWV 644)|Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig]] || || 4
|}
|}


==Organs and Registration==
==Background and General Perspectives==
These 46 short chorales were composed while he was court organist at the ducal court in Weimar (1708–1714).
 
Orgelbüchlein (literally translated, "Little Organ Book")--a collection of 46 of the most commonly-used Lutheran chorales. 164 settings were planned, but completed only 46. Most of them were composed during his Weimar period (c. 1713-1716), where he was a Chamber musician and later Concertmeister to Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst.  Weimar (1708-1717) was his most productive period in organ composition
Organization of the planned collection: 2 halves:
Part one traces the path of the Liturgical Year (Starting with Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, etc.).  Part two uses chorales based on events of Christian life.  Thus, the title "The Liturgical Year" is inappropriate.  It may have been conceived of as a complete yearly cycle of chorale preludes.  The entire book was laid out (164 settings), the pages ruled, and the titles placed.  The layout of the book required that the pieces be short.
Factors contributing to the historical importance of the collection:
*A. Limitation of size ruled out the large "for-imitation" style of the past--had to be a more economical format
*B. Motifs are often fragments of the chorale tune itself
*C. Pictorial motifs brought the message of the text forward in the music.  Examples: "Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt [corrupted]" dissonant, descending sevenths in the pedal refer to mankind's fall and "Puer Natus in Bethlehem" includes rocking cradle motif.
*D. Substantial, self-sustaining pedal part was rather unique
*E. The collection served several functions: 1. Pedagogical--practice material for up-coming organists, 2. Service music--introductions for congregational hymns, 3. Examples for advanced pupils on how to improvise a chorale prelude.
 
 
For details, see the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgelb%C3%BCchlein Wikipedia article]
 
==Scores and Editions==
[http://www.wayneleupold.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=bach+orgelbuchlein&x=23&y=8 Historical Organ Techniques and Repertoire, Volume 2, J.S. Bach—Basic Organ Works (ed. Quentin Faulkner)]
:Completely fingered in early fingering styles. Includes helpful information on the original chorales and performing the works.
 
[http://www.ohscatalog.org/jsbacor.html J. S. Bach: Orgelbuchlein (ed. Robert Clark and John David Peterson)]
:Includes helpful information on the original chorales and performing the works.
 
[http://imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/b/b8/IMSLP04104-Bach_-_BGA_-_BWV_599-644.pdf IMSLP, Bach Gesellschaft edition]
:Free download


For a meditative interpretation: 8', 8'/4', or 8'/4'/2' flutes or German Baroque string stops, with balanced pedal built on a 16' foundation. For a grander interpretation use some sort of plenum (principals 8' through 2' or chorus mixture).<ref>J. S. Bach 1685-1750: Basic Organ Works.  Historical Organ Techniques and Repertoire, vol. 2.  Ed. Quentin Faulkner.  Boston: Wayne Leupold Editions, 1997.</ref>
==Registration and Organs==
Replace this text any information on registration and organs that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces
 
''See the footnote in the "Notes" section at the bottom of the page.'' <ref>This footnote was entered in the "Registration and Organs" article.</ref>


==Fingering and Pedaling==
==Fingering and Pedaling==
Replace this text with any information on fingering and pedaling that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces


==Articulation and Phrasing==
==Articulation and Phrasing==
Replace this text with any information on articulation and phrasing that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces


==Ornamentation==
==Ornamentation==
Replace this text with any information on ornamentation that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces


==Tempo and Meter==
==Tempo and Meter==
Replace this text with any information on tempo and meter that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces


==Notes==
==Recordings==
 
Replace this text with any information on recordings that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces


==References==
===Free Online===


==External Links==
Replace this text with any information on online recordings that are available free
===General Reference===
===Scores===
[http://www.wayneleupold.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=bach+orgelbuchlein&x=23&y=8 Historical Organ Techniques and Repertoire, Volume 2, J.S. Bach—Basic Organ Works (ed. Quentin Faulkner)]
:Completely fingered in early fingering styles. Includes helpful information on the original chorales and performing the works.


[http://www.ohscatalog.org/jsbacor.html J. S. Bach: Orgelbuchlein (ed. Robert Clark and John David Peterson)]
===Pay to Listen===
:Includes helpful information on the original chorales and performing the works.
[http://www.ohscatalog.org/17hiatstwipo.html William Porter at the 1723 Hildebrandt at Störmthal.], including 10 other pieces from ''Das Orgelbuchlein.''


[http://imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/b/b8/IMSLP04104-Bach_-_BGA_-_BWV_599-644.pdf IMSLP, Bach Gesellschaft edition]
==Other Resources==
:Free download
Replace this text with any information on other resources pertinent to performing these works


===Recordings===
==Notes==
====Free Online====
<references/>
====Pay to Listen====
''This space is for automatic insertion of footnotes.  To enter a footnote from anywhere in the article, start by typing the tag <nowiki><ref> and then enter the text, and type the tag </ref></nowiki> to end the footnote. The footnote will then appear in this "Notes" section automatically.''

Latest revision as of 04:38, 8 February 2017

by Johann Sebastian Bach

Choosing a piece

The Orgelbüchlein collection represents a wide range of technical difficulty: any piece, or level, is appropriate for the service playing exam. The table below assigns a difficulty grouping for each piece, 1 being the most accessible, 5 being the most challenging. (The groupings are adapted from Quentin Faulkner. [1])

The Chorales

Click to sort by BWV number, Title, or Season *Information is entered concerning this work
BWV Is there info? Title Season Level of Difficulty
599 * Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland Advent 1
600 Gott, durch deine Güte (Gottes-Sohn ist kommen) Advent 4
601 * Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes-Sohn (Herr Gott, nun sei gepreiset) Advent 3
602 * Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott Advent 3
603 Puer natus in Bethlehem Christmas 3
604 Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ Christmas 1
605 Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich Christmas 4
606 Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her Christmas 3
607 Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar Christmas 4
608 * In dulci jubilo Christmas 4
609 Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich Christmas 3
610 Jesu, meine Freude Christmas 2
611 Christum wir sollen loben schon Christmas 3
612 Wir Christenleut' Christmas 4
613 Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen New Year 4
614 * Das alte Jahr vergangen ist New Year 5
615 In dir ist Freude New Year 4
616 Mit Fried' und Freud' ich fahr' dahin Epiphany 3
617 Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf Epiphany 4
618 O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig Lent 3
619 * Christe, du Lamm Gottes Lent 2
620 Christus, der uns selig macht Lent 4
621 Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund Lent 2
622 O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß Lent 5
623 Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ Lent 3
624 Hilf Gott, daß mir's gelinge Lent 4
625 * Christ lag in Todesbanden Easter 2
626 Jesus Christus, unser Heiland Easter 3
627 Christ ist erstanden Easter 3
628 Erstanden ist der heil'ge Christ Easter 3
629 Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag Easter 3
630 Heut' triumphieret Gottes Sohn Easter 4
631 Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist Pentecost 3
632 Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend' Pentecost 3
633 Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier 2
634 Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (alt. version of BWV 633) 2
635 Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot' 4
636 Vater unser im Himmelreich 3
637 * Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt 3
638 Es ist das Heil uns kommen her 3
639 * Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ 1
640 In dich hab' ich gehoffet, Herr 3
641 Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein 5
642 Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten 2
643 * Alle Menschen müssen sterben 2
644 Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig 4

Background and General Perspectives

These 46 short chorales were composed while he was court organist at the ducal court in Weimar (1708–1714).

Orgelbüchlein (literally translated, "Little Organ Book")--a collection of 46 of the most commonly-used Lutheran chorales. 164 settings were planned, but completed only 46. Most of them were composed during his Weimar period (c. 1713-1716), where he was a Chamber musician and later Concertmeister to Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst. Weimar (1708-1717) was his most productive period in organ composition

Organization of the planned collection: 2 halves: Part one traces the path of the Liturgical Year (Starting with Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, etc.). Part two uses chorales based on events of Christian life. Thus, the title "The Liturgical Year" is inappropriate. It may have been conceived of as a complete yearly cycle of chorale preludes. The entire book was laid out (164 settings), the pages ruled, and the titles placed. The layout of the book required that the pieces be short.

Factors contributing to the historical importance of the collection:

  • A. Limitation of size ruled out the large "for-imitation" style of the past--had to be a more economical format
  • B. Motifs are often fragments of the chorale tune itself
  • C. Pictorial motifs brought the message of the text forward in the music. Examples: "Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt [corrupted]" dissonant, descending sevenths in the pedal refer to mankind's fall and "Puer Natus in Bethlehem" includes rocking cradle motif.
  • D. Substantial, self-sustaining pedal part was rather unique
  • E. The collection served several functions: 1. Pedagogical--practice material for up-coming organists, 2. Service music--introductions for congregational hymns, 3. Examples for advanced pupils on how to improvise a chorale prelude.


For details, see the Wikipedia article

Scores and Editions

Historical Organ Techniques and Repertoire, Volume 2, J.S. Bach—Basic Organ Works (ed. Quentin Faulkner)

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.

IMSLP, Bach Gesellschaft edition

Free download

Registration and Organs

Replace this text any information on registration and organs that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces

See the footnote in the "Notes" section at the bottom of the page. [2]

Fingering and Pedaling

Replace this text with any information on fingering and pedaling that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces

Articulation and Phrasing

Replace this text with any information on articulation and phrasing that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces

Ornamentation

Replace this text with any information on ornamentation that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces

Tempo and Meter

Replace this text with any information on tempo and meter that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces

Recordings

Replace this text with any information on recordings that might be pertinent to the whole set of pieces

Free Online

Replace this text with any information on online recordings that are available free

Pay to Listen

William Porter at the 1723 Hildebrandt at Störmthal., including 10 other pieces from Das Orgelbuchlein.

Other Resources

Replace this text with any information on other resources pertinent to performing these works

Notes

  1. Faulkner, Quentin, ed. J.S. Bach, Basic Organ Works: Orgelbüchlein and Three Free Works. Historical Techniques and Repertoire, vol. 2. Edited by Wayne Leopuld. Boston: Wayne Leupold Editions, 1997, 32-33.
  2. This footnote was entered in the "Registration and Organs" article.

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.