UPDATED 07/25/2010

Now accepting credit cards

 
FEATURED INSTRUMENT CONCERT
Click to see another concert Click to see another concert Click to see another concert Click to see another concert Click to stream concert
 
    Your support is necessary to continue this service. Even a small donation will help.

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

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

    Bach, Johann Sebastian: O Mensch, Bewein' dein' Sünde Gross, BWV 622Download View Lyrics
    The plain Chorale melody is sounded on Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' with alto and tenor on HW Holpijp 8' bass on PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8' (repeat Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' + Tremulant). The Prelude adds Octaaf 2' to the reed for the highly ornamented Chorale melody with HW Octaaf 4' played an octave lower and the same Pedal. Impulse reverberation added. [6:23] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Wir Danken Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 623Download View Lyrics
    A joyful song of thanksgiving for the Passion of Christ. Registration: Chorale Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Octaav 2' coupled to HW Octaaf 4'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'; Prelude Zwellwerk Schalmei 8' + Octaav 2' coupled to Holpijp 8' + Octaav 4 and to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [1:28] Midi file available. HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Hilf Gott, Dass Mir's Gelinge, BWV 624Download View Lyrics
    The chorale is a close canon at the fifth which gives an eerie effect, and the wandering accompaniment in the left hand and pedal seem to express the aimlessness of the unassisted human in singing the praise of God, which is the main thrust of the text. Registration: Chorale: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8', HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4', PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8; (softer and without HW Octaaf 4' and PD Subbas 16' for repeat. Prelude: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Blokfluit 4', HW and PD as at beginning of Chorale. Impulse reverberation added. [2:35] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 625Download View Lyrics
    A voluptuous setting of the Easter chorale, from Das Orgelbüchlein, or the Liturgical Year, preceded by the Chorale on which it is based. Registration for Chorale: Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' coupled to HW Holpijp 8'; for Prelude: Gemshoorn 8' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [2:43] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 626Download View Lyrics
    Preceded by its Chorale, this short grand Easter prelude has intense rhythmic drive. Bach packed a lot of power into a very small amount of space here. Registration for both: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4' and to PD Subbas + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [1:36] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Christ Ist Erstanden, BWV 627Download View Lyrics
    Festive three part setting of an Easter chorale from Bach's Liturgical Year, each section preceded by the harmonized Chorale on which it is based. Impulse reverberation added. [5:5] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Erstanden Ist Der Heil'ge Christ, BWV 628Download View Lyrics
    Upward (and downward) surging scale passages join with upward (and downward) skips of a fourth (or fifth) create a satisfying swirl. Registration: Chorale: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4' and to PD Subbas 16'; Prelude: As above, but Octaaf 2' added to Zwelwerk and Gedekt 8' to PD. With impulse reverberation. [1:27] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Erschienen Ist der Herrliche Tag, BWV 629Download View Lyrics
    Preceded by the Chorale on soft flues (Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' + Tremulant; HW Holpijp 8' coupled to PD Subbas 16'), this short, bubbly Easter Prelude features a Canon at the octave between the Zwelwerk Trompette 8' on the manual, and coupled to the Pedal Subbas 16', and an infectious rhythmic figure on the Hoofdwerk Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'. Impulse reverberation added. [1:44] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Heut' Triumphiret Gottes Sohn, BWV 630Download View Lyrics
    The last of 6 Easter chorales from Bach's Liturgical Year. The bell-like motive in the Pedal imparts a triumphant exuberance. Registration: Chorale: Zwelwerk Blokfluit 4' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' and PD Subbas 16'; Prelude: HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' coupled to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [2:1] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Komm Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist, BWV 631Download View Lyrics
    A hymn to the Holy Ghost as creative inspiration. Registration for Chorale and Prelude: Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Octaav 2' coupled to HW Octaav 4' which is coupled to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [1:8] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend', BWV 632Download View Lyrics
    A cheerful setting with pedal presenting the chorale in dimunition. Both are free settings of the melody, but not identical, so it is not a canon. The background is build upon the three opening notes of the Chorale, which is a triad - a technique later known as arpeggio, because of its harp-like quality. Chorale: Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Octaaf 4'; Prelude Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4' and to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. No reverberation added. [1:45] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 633Download View Lyrics
    The chorale is sounded in canon at the interval of a fifth, separated by only two beats. This is one of two versions from the Liturgical Year collection. Chorale: Zwelwerk Blokfluit 4' coupled to HW Holpijp 8'; Repeat: Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Tremulant coupled to HW Holpijp 8'; Prelude: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' (+Gemshoorn 8', + Blokfluit 4'); HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [1:58] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (Dist.), BWV 634Download View Lyrics
    The second setiing of this beloved chorale is labeled "distinctius." I have varied the registrations subtly from BWV 633, adding Pedal to the initial harmonized Chorale. Registration - Chorale: Zwelwerk Blokfluit 4' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' coupled to PD Subbas 16'; Repeat: Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' coupled to HW; PD Gedekt 8'; Prelude: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Gemshoorn 8'; Schalmei 8'; Schalmei 8' + Blokfluit 8' + Octaaf 2'; HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. [1:57] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot', BWV 635Download View Lyrics
    From the Orgelbüchlein, this closely imitative piece is a short but grand treatment of the chorale associated with the Ten Commandments. Registration - Chorale: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaav 4' and to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'; Prelude: HW Holpijp 8' + Octaav 4; Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Gemshoorn 8' coupled to PD Subbas 16'. Impulse reverberation added. [1:56] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Vater Unser im Himmelreich, BWV 636Download View Lyrics
    This beautiful and intimate setting of the Lord's Prayer is dominated by a four-note motive (A-E-G-F) and its inversion (A-E-C#-D), indeed one or the other appears in nearly every beat. Registration - Chorale: Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' + Tremulant coupled to empty HW and PD Subbas 16'; Prelude: : Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' coupled to HW Holpijp 8'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [2:6] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 637Download View Lyrics
    One of the strangest chromatic treatments the Phantom Organist has ever conveyed, and yet it's just as Bach wrote it. The pedal skips in sevenths (depicting Adam's fall?) under the tortured chromatic changes, and it appears to change keys abruptly several times at the end (disorientation at being thrown out of Paradise?). Registration - Chorale HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' coupled to PD Subbas 16'; Repeat Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4 coupled to blank HW; PD Subbas 16'; Prelude: HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' coupled to PD Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [3:19] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Es ist das Heil (Gottes Sohn ist Kommen), BWV 638Download View Lyrics
    Exuberant Christmas Chorale from the Little Organ Book for full plenum. Chorale: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Gemshoorn 8' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' and to PD Subbas 16'; Repeat: Zwelwerk replace Gemshoorn with Blokfluit 4'; Prelude: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Blokfluit 4 coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4' and to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'; Repeat: Zwelwerk add Gemshoorn 8' (coupled to blank HW) After Repeat: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8' + Zwelwerk and HW couplers. Impulse reverberation added. [1:45] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639Download View Lyrics
    Preceded by the Chorale on which it is based, this prelude is a simple but elegant trio for reed and flute stops. Registration - Chorale: Melody Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' + Octaaf 2' + Tremulant; alto & tenor on HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Contrast: Zwelwerk remove 2' and Tremulant; HW remove Octaaf 4'; PD remove Gedekt 8'. Prelude: Zwelwerk Schalmei 8' + Gemshoorn 8' + Tremulant; HW (octave lower) Octaaf 4'; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [2:44] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: In Dich hab' Ich gehoffet, Herr, BWV 640Download View Lyrics
    Hopeful Chorale and a short and serene setting of it with a pervasive 3-note motiv. Registration - Chorale: Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 8' coupled to blank HW Prelude: Zwelwerk Blokfluit 4' + Octaaf 4' coupled to HW Holpijp 8' + Octaaf 4' coupled to PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. No reverberation added. [1:39] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Wenn wir in höchsten nöthen sein, BWV 641Download View Lyrics
    Chorale followed by Prelude with a highly ornamented melody over a somewhat subdued background. Another depressing Lenten text describing a place some of us find ourselves in from time to time. Registration: Chorale Melody (8va lower) HW Octaaf 4'; Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8'; PD Subbas 16'. For Prelude add Bokfluit 4' to Zwelwer4k, Gedekt 8' to PD. No reverberation added. [1:54] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 642Download View Lyrics
    Motives of joy and devotion comingle in this energetic setting for the Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ, preceded by the harmonized Chorale. The text recommends an intuitive spiritual approach to life rather than trying to get your way all the time. Registration - Chorale Zwelwerk Gemshoorn 8' + Octaaf 2'; HW Holpijp 8' coupled to PD Subbass 16' Prelude: Zwelwerk add Blokfluit 4' to Zwelwerk; HW add Octaaf 4'; PD change coupler to Zwelwerk. Impulse reverberation added. [2:20] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV 643Download View Lyrics
    A tranquil acceptance of the concept that "all are mortal." Registration of Chorale: Zwelwerk LH - Gemshoorn 8' + Octaaf 2'; RH - HW Octaaf 4', played 8va lower; PD Subbas 16'; Repeat: Zwelwerk omit Octaaf 2', add Blokfluit 4'; Revert to first; Prelude: Zwelwerk LH - Gemshoorn 8' + Blokfluit 4' + Octaaf 2'; RH - HW Octaaf 4', played 8va lower; PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8' + Zwelwerk-PD coupler. No reverberation added. [2:20] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig, BWV 644Download View Lyrics
    The last Prelude from Das Orgelbüchlein, this is a breezy portrayal of how fleeting life is. The flowing of waters, the drifting of clouds and something unspeakably futile about man's ascent and waning, scholars have read all that into this tiny piece. Notice how the grounding Pedal voice drops out before the last chord. Registration - Chorale: Zwelwerk Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8'; Prelude: add Blokfluit 4' to Zwellwerk, PD Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added. [1:14] HW1