UPDATED 03/13/2010

MINI-CONCERT NO. 1   Your support is necessary to continue this service. Even a small donation will help. Buxtehude, Dietrich: Passacaglio in D minor, BuxWV 161 This is the most famous of the three ground bass pieces by Buxtehude, and shows the following innovation: the theme in the pedal changes keys 3 times: d minor, F Major, a minor, and back to d minor, with clear modulations between each. And at times it's heartbreakingly lovely. The virtual Gottfried Silbermann organ of Großhartmannsdorf (1741) - Samples by PipeLoops [5:48] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Nun lob mein Seel den Herren, BuxWV 213 Based on a chorale maddeningly close to the modern Doxology, these three verses might make the prelude, offertory and postlude of a modern service. The first is in two parts, the second is in three parts played on one manual, the third has two voices, each on its own manual, and the chorale slowly sounded on the pedal. Registration: 1) and 2) Hauptwerk Principal 8' + Spitz-Flöhte 4' + Cornett 3 F.; Oberwerk Gedeckt 8' + Rohr-Flöhte 4' + Gemshorn 2' + Cimbel 2 F.; 3) HW Principal 8' + Octava 4' + Spitz-Flöhte 4' + Qvinta 3' + Mixtuur 4 F.; OW Gedeckt 8' + Rohr-Flöhte 4' + Gemshorn 2' + Terzia 1-3/5' + Qvinta 1-1/2' + Sufflet 1' + Cimbel 2 F.; Chorale in Pedal: Posaunen-Bass 16' + Octav-Bass 8'. The virtual Gottfried Silbermann organ of Großhartmannsdorf (1741) - Samples by PipeLoops [7:4] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Ciacona in E minor, BuxWV 160 This set of pensive variations uses various stops on the Great and Pedal, with occasional stops coupled from the Positiv. Kellner Temperament. The organ of Boezemkerk in Bolnes (Ridderkerk) Holland (1959) - Samples by Hauptwerk.nl [5:21] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Nun lob mein Seel den Herren, BuxWV 214-215 Four sections, all in 3/2 meter. The first is on the Hauptwerk (Principal 8' + Octava 4' + Qvinta 3' + Octava 2' + Mixtuur 4 F) with the Chorale in the Pedal (Posaunen-Bass 16' + Octav-Bass 8'); the second is on the Oberwerk (Gedeckt 8' + Rohr-Flöhte 4' + Nasat 3' + Octava 2' + Sufflet 1') without Pedal; the third is on a Oberwerk coupled to Hauptwerk without Pedal; and the fourth is a trio - RH Hauptwerk Rohr-Flöhte 8' + Qvintadena 8' + Octava 4' + Qvinta 3' + Octava 2' + Mixtuur 4 F; LH Oberwerk Full except for Tertia; Pedal Posaunen-Bass 16' + Octav-Bass 8'. It is unknown to me why it is incomplete and why it takes two numbers in the catalog. Original Temperament. The virtual Gottfried Silbermann organ of Großhartmannsdorf (1741) - Samples by PipeLoops [9:40] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Ciacona in C minor, BuxWV 159 Unlike Buxtehude's more famous Passacaglio in D minor, the pedal theme does not repeat throughout the entire piece, since a ciacona relies more on a harmonic progression than the constant repetition of a single theme in the bass line. Here the more delicate flute stops begin and end the piece. Bosch-Schnitger Organ, Vollenhove/Overijssel (1686/1720) - Samples by Prof. Helmut Maier [7:38] (a=420 Hz) HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, BuxWV 222 RH (Chorale) Oberwerk with its own tremulant: Gedeckt 8' + Rohr-Flöhte 4' + Nasat 3' + Octava 2' + Tertia; LH Hauptwerk: Rohr-Flöhte 8' + Spitz-Flöhte 4'; Pedal: Sub-Bass 16' + Octav-Bass 8'. The virtual Gottfried Silbermann organ of Großhartmannsdorf (1741) - Samples by PipeLoops [2:7] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Ich dank dir schon durch deinen Sohn, BuxWV 195 This somewhat modal setting has three meters: Alla Breve, 3/2, and Common Meter, but four moods. Temperament: Werckmeister III. The Hinsz-Organ at Leens in the province of Groningen (1733/34) - Samples by Hauptwerk.nl [4:41] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Praeludium in G Major, BuxWV 162 Five sections: Opening flourishes, Fughetta and Grave, all in 4/4; Gigue with ending flourishes in 6/8. Score provided by Boris Mudrinic. Ad lib pedal added by James Pressler. The Great organ of the Magnuskerk, Anloo, The Netherlands (1719) - Samples by Gernot Wurst [5:25] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Canzona in C Major, BuxWV 166 In three sections. The first in common meter resembles a fughetta but changes texture to a striking repeated chord pattern, ending with a decorative flourish. The second section is in a lilting 6/8 meter. Near the end the pedal enters and guides the merriment to a suspenseful 3rd inversion 7th chord. The transition and third section are played on nearly full organ. Registration: Section 1 - Full Man. 2 and Man. 1 Octaaf 4' + Octaaf 2' on coupling manual. Section 2 - Man. 2 Quintadena 8' + Roerfluit 4', Pedal Subbas 16' + Prestant 8'. Section 3 - All stops and couplers except Man. 1 Holpijp 8'. Meantone Fifth Comma Temperament. The Bamboe organ of the Protestant community of Roeselare Belgium (1995) - Samples by Hauptwerk.nl [5:35] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Magnificat noni toni, BuxWV 205 Three variations. Var. 1: Hauptwerk Principal 8' + Octava 4' + Octava 2' + Mixtuur 4 f., Oberwerk Rohr-Flöhte 8' + Gemshorn 2' coupled to Pedal Posaunen-Bass 16' + Octav-Bass 8'. Var. 2: HW Rohr-Flöhte 8' + Qvintadena 8' + Spitz-Flöhte 4' + Octava 2', OW Gedeckt 8' + Rohr-Flöhte 4' + Nasat 3' + Gemshorn 2' + Tertia + Quint 1-1/3 + Tremulant coupled to empty Pedal. Var. 3: OW Rohr-Flöhte 4' + Nasat 3' + Gemshorn 2' + Cimbel 2 f coupled to HW Principal 8' + Octava 4' + Octava 2' + Mixtuur 4 f., Pedal Posaunen-Bass 16' at end. The virtual Gottfried Silbermann organ of Großhartmannsdorf (1741) - Samples by PipeLoops [4:5] HW3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV 220 A canonic treatment of a chorale that has seen more sombre settings. Registration: LH Rugwerk Holpijp 8' + Prestant 4'; RH Hoofdwek Trompet 8' + Cornet 4 St.; Pedaal Trombone 8'. Bosch-Schnitger Organ, Vollenhove/Overijssel (1686/1720) - Samples by Prof. Helmut Maier [1:31] (a=420 Hz) HW3