Orgelbüchlein

The Little Organ Book by Johann Sebastian Bach is a collection of choral bound organ pieces ( chorale preludes ) which he especially during his tenure in the years 1712-1717 in Weimar composed ( BWV 599-644 ).

The individual sets of the collection combines a high artistic standard and the idea of ​​usability both in worship and in instrumental and composition lessons. Characteristic of Bach's chorale settings in Orgelbüchlein are loud Christoph Wolff: "Density motivic structure and contrapuntal refinement ( up to the strict canon ) in conjunction with a bold and expressive musical language and subtle musical and theological interpretation of the text. Each set proportional balance achieved by combine manual and pedal votes elegant to exemplary organ score. "

Formation

Bach put the ninety -page landscape-format book probably at the beginning of his Weimar period, so already about 1708, and was already wearing one all the tracks of the 164 planned chorales. He not only laid down, which he wanted Chorale einkopieren or neuvertonen here, but also whether they would à comprising one or two sides of six lines. The order of the sentences is, as usual in hymnals today that the church year. About half of the entries are fair copies, ie copies of existing works.

The first part, from Christmas to Easter, he filled almost completely, then gradually take on more and more gaps - apparently the very ambitious project but has gradually emerged into the background so that it only added a single complete setting after 1726. In order for the Organ Book now includes " executed 46 Chorale Preludes " as an unknown writer added to Bach's title.

Bach knew the title only added in 1720; He is:

1739, at the time when Part III of the Clavierübung, these rates were apparently already at historically to access it again; Bach's chorale settings from the later period also usually a much larger scale.

Overview of the single records

Itemization

Further reading

• Russell Stinson: Bach: The Organ Book. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press 1999 ISBN 978-0-19-386214-2.
• Peter Williams: Johann Sebastian Bach's organ works. Volume 2: chorale settings. Mainz et al: Schott 1998, ISBN 978-3-7957-1854-1.
• Sven Hiemke: Johann Sebastian Bach - Organ Book. Kassel 2007. ISBN 978-3-7618-1734-6

Expenditure

The Little Organ Book is available in various music editions:

• Griepenkerl / Roitzsch, Vol 5
• Lohmann, Vol 7
• NBA, Vol 1
• Hg Heinz -Harald Löhlein, BVK, 31999 ( Documentation Musicologica, Series II, Vol 11): facsimile of the autograph
• Hg Ulrich Leisinger. Wiener Urtext Edition
• Hg Sven Hiemke. J. S. Bach Complete Organ Works, Vol 7 Breitkopf & Härtel (2011)