- Prelude & Fugue ("St. Anne") in Eb Major, BWV 552
[15:17] (A=465)
These two pieces constitute the beginning and ending of Bach's Die Clavier-Übung, Part III. For a graphic explication see Dr. Timothy Smith's Trinitarian and Catechistic Connotations
of the Clavier-Übung III . They are a towering monument amidst Bach's already impressive array of organ masterpieces. For broadband
users, or if you're extremely patient: Download (36 MB).
Instrument:
Gottfried Silbermann Organ, St. Georgenkirche - Rötha, Germany (1721) -
Samples by Brett Milan
- Chorale Text
Words to chorale associated with the fugue:
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
Under the shadow of thy throne,
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly, forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guide while troubles last,
and our eternal home!
--Isaac Watts, 1719
Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 1 software
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