Schübler Chorales

The Schüblerschen chorales are six chorale settings for organ by Johann Sebastian Bach ( original title: Six Chorales of various kinds). In particular, " Awake " and "Are you now, Jesus, down from the sky " are among the most well-known organ works of Bach. The melody of the latter is largely replaced with the text of " Praise the Lord " - the adequacy of the unknown text can this collection through the end of the liturgical year and the advent assign.

Formation and playability

The exact time of origin of the collection is unknown; the original print was worried 1748/1749 by Johann Georg Schübler in Zella; him it owes its name. Five of the six sets of edits are preserved cantata movements. For the sixth ( BWV 646), the cantata only fragmentary obtained has been 188 suspected as the source; but this remains speculation.

The rates may have been chosen initially according to the criterion easier playability; most of the sets are only three voices, and their pedal Bass brings either the cantus firmus, or serves as rhythmically simple crafted harmonic support for the upper voices. More difficult are the four-part sets "Who can only love God prevail " and " My soul magnifies the Lord." - In the latter, also the pedal is equally involved with the two voices of the left hand in the implementation and processing of the topics.

Overview of rates

Other important collections of chorale preludes

• Little Organ Book ( BWV 599-644 )
• Leipzig Chorales ( "Eighteen Chorales of various kinds ," BWV 651-668 )
• Clavierübung Part III ( BWV 669-689 )