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    Johann Sebastian Bach: The Liturgical Year with Chorales preceding, Part One

    Vermeulen Brothers Organ at Congregation "Vloedschuur," Heteren, Holland (1959)
    Samples by Hauptwerk.nl

    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599Download View Lyrics
    The very first prelude in the Liturgical Year. A brief and heartfelt setting of the Advent hymn, preceded by the Chorale on which it is based. [1:41] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Gott, durch deine Gute, BWV 600Download View Lyrics
    Also known as Gottes Sohn ist Kommen, which appear as the lyrics. This is one of the few pieces with registrational instructions by Bach himself. "Man. Princip. 8.F. und Ped. Tromp. 8 Fuss." An approximation using the Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' (slightly softer to balance with manual) coupled to the Pedaal seems to fulfill the spirit of this instruction. Preceded by chorale on which this Prelude is based (Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Roerfluit 4'). [2:7] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Herr Christ der ein'ge Gottes Sohn, BWV 601Download View Lyrics
    Charming and cheerful setting of an Advent chorale. Reference to the Morningstar in the text makes this also appropriate for Epiphany. Preceded by chorale on which this Prelude is based. [2:26] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott, BWV 602Download View Lyrics
    The tune is based on the plainchant "Conditor alme siderum," still sung in churches today as "Creator of the Stars of Night." Chorale is soloed out on the Zwelwerk (modified Cornet and for the Prelude a bolstered Schalmei). [1:23] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Puer natus in Bethlehem, BWV 603Download View Lyrics
    Haunting setting of a Christmas chorale from the Little Organ Book (Das Orgelbüchlein) or Liturgical Year, cheerily preceded by the Chorale on which the Prelude is based. [1:59] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Gelobet Seist Du, Jesu Christ, BWV 604Download View Lyrics
    Short setting of a German Christmas chorale from the Liturgical Year, preceded by its source (Zwelwerk 8' + 4' + 2' with subtle dynamic curves applied). For the Prelude, the Chorale melody is played an octave lower on the Hoofdwerk Octaaf 4' against the Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Roerfluit 8', with Pedaal Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. [1:49] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Der Tag, Der Ist So Freudenreich, BWV 605Download View Lyrics
    Christmas Chorale followed by Prelude with motives of joy permeating the accompaniment. [2:59] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Vom Himmel Hoch, BWV 606Download View Lyrics
    The Christmas chorale "From Heaven on High" followed by Bach's brief but joyous setting, in which the melody is very slightly adorned and the pedal has a step motive that to some expresses faith. [1:10] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Vom Himmel Kam Der Engel Schaar, BWV 607Download View Lyrics
    Brisk chorale followed by a rather mystical depiction of angels descending and ascending at the time of Christ's birth. [2:26] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 608Download View Lyrics
    A sweet Christmas chorale, followed by a festive canonic treatment. [2:16] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Lobt Gott, Ihr Christen, Allzugleich, BWV 609Download View Lyrics
    Preceded by the Chorale on which it is based, this Prelude expresses joyous praise with the chorale in the top part, accompanied by animated scale groups in alternating contrary and parallel motion. A suppressed reed has been added to the Pedaal. [1:10] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 610Download View Lyrics
    The well-loved Chorale is still sung in American churches. The Prelude that follows is dominated by a motive in the bass which is a modified version of what Schweitzer calls the "Beatific Peace Motive." Though filled with an intimate charm and stateliness, it could also be played with triumphalist grandeur. WAV file is available in RAR format: here (20 MB) [3:38] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Christum Wir Sollen Loben Schon, BWV 611Download View Lyrics
    Following the straightforward Chorale presentation (Zwelwerk 8' Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' + Octaaf 2'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'), we suddenly have Bach at his most mysterious. In the Prelude (Zwelwerk 8' + Tremulant; PD Gedekt 8') the chorale is now in the alto voice, the other two manual voices form an arabesque of unusual quiet joy, the Pedal is constantly descending and doubles at the end. The words dwell on the mystery of Christ's incarnation, and its farflung consequences. [2:33] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Wir Christenleut, BWV 612Download View Lyrics
    The chorale (Zwelwerk Blokfluit 4' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8') precedes this extroverted Christmas prelude (Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; and to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'). Impulse reverberation added. [2:16] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Helft Mir Gott's Güte Preisen, BWV 613Download View Lyrics
    One of the three preludes in the Orgelbüchlein devoted to the passing of the secular New Year. Impulse reverberation added. [2:5] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Das Alte Jahr Vergangen Ist, BWV 614Download View Lyrics
    This is a sad and expressive farewell to the secular old year. Chorale Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfuit 4', HW Holpijp 8', PD Gedekt 8'; Prelude Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Tremulant, HW Octaaf 4' transposed down one octave, PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [2:27] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: In Dir Ist Freude, BWV 615Download View Lyrics
    Now preceded by the Chorale, this Prelude contains a bell-like motive in the pedal which emphasizes the idea of ringing in the secular new year, and this version saves the loudest part for last (when the chattering congregation is out on the patio and only a stalwart few hear nearly full organ). [3:41] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Mit Fried' und Freud' ich fahr' dahin, BWV 616Download View Lyrics
    A perfect expression of the Nunc Dimittis, part of Das Orgelbüchlein (aka The Liturgical Year). Known in the Anglican liturgy as The Song of Simeon, the text has a bit of the German Pietism which contrasts the travails of everyday life with the tranquility of death. Registration: Chorale - SW Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4'; PD (end) Subbas 16'; Prelude - top three voices SW Gemshoorn 8' + Tremulant; bottom manual voice Holpijp 8' with SW coupled; PD Subbas 16' with SW coupled. Impulse reverberation added. [2:42] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Herr Gott, Nun Schleuss den Himmel Auf, BWV 617Download View Lyrics
    Preceded by a harmonized version of the Chorale (SW Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4', PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'), this Prelude then presents the melody in two voices (SW Schalmei 8' + Blokfluit 4'), the tenor spins a restless web (HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'), the Pedal (Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8') vacillates between octave syncopations and thirds. Impulse reverberation added. [3:14] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: O Lamm Gottes, Unschuldig, BWV 618Download View Lyrics
    An amazing, trancelike piece, based on a Lenten Chorale (Zwelwerk Blokfluit 4' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' coupled to PD Subbas 16') and utilizing a pervasive grief motive accompanying a canon at the fifth. Registration of Prelude: HW Holpijp 8' + Prestaant 4'; Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' coupled to PD. Impulse reverberation added. [4:10] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Christe, Du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619Download View Lyrics
    Preceded by the brief Chorale (Zwelwerk Blokfluit 4' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8') on which it is based, this Prelude (Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' coupled to HW Holpijp 8'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8') contains the sublime sort of music that some call "just a bunch of scales." But how artfully these scales are arranged with the chorale into a serenely haunting landscape. Impulse reverberation added. [1:35] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Christus, der uns selig macht, BWV 620Download View Lyrics
    Intensely chromatic double canon on a Passion text, this piece describes Christ's suffering and torment with some tortured harmonies. Registration for Chorale: Zwelwerk Genshoorn 8' coupled to HW Octaav 4'; for Prelude HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Gemshoorn 8' coupled to PD Subbas 16'. Impulse reverberation added. [2:37] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Da Jesus an dem Kreuze Stund, BWV 621Download View Lyrics
    The words of the chorale deal with the seven last words of Christ on the cross. Registration for both Chorale and Prelude: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 2' and to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [1:50] Midi file available. HW1