You're continuing Bach's good work on Earth as a teacher. It's so fascinating to learn about the book itself, not to mention your expertise on performing the works. I can see why BWV 617 is your favourite!
I’m glad you say this is your favourite chorale prelude of Orgelbüchlein - it’s my favourite too! It’s so beautiful and very beautiful to play too, although you have to be calm as you say. I often think the left hand describes Simeon’s departure with its moving semiquavers. I enjoyed your performance but personally I avoid using mutations in the left hand. To my ears they interfere with the chorale in the right hand and upset the balance of the texture. I prefer a Principal or a string stop in the left hand, acknowledging the increasing number of these stops being included in contemporary organs of Bach’s time and region. It also accords better with the calm and slightly doleful affect of the piece. However I really like your tempo (pretty much the same as mine!); I’m no fan of playing it faster, it always feels like Simeon is in a hurry or, worse, a race to leave, it leaves the piece with a very schizophrenic affect if so played. I find I need to approach each chorale prelude in Orgelbüchlein individually - trying to approach them as a whole set is too much for me to take in at once.
Many thanks for your thoughtful comment. Yes, I do agree that there is so much in each prelude that we have to focus on them one at a time. I did play them as a set a few times, many years ago, but that's probably as indigestible to listen to as it is difficult to bring a fresh identity to each piece! Tim
Sooo fantastic beautiful,😊 I didnt know this one. I will try to learn it. But what registration do you use. I tried to work it out from the stop list in the information but couldnt think what you were using.
Yes, as I say, this one is my absolute favourite OB prelude. I used a slightly unusual registration here (so it's not surprising you couldn't identify it): pedals 16+8 Gedakt uncoupled; chorale melody on Ryggpositiv 8+4+tremulant; left hand on the Oververk with both 8's, the 4' flute and the II Kornett and the box shut.
Hello Dr. Tim, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, especially the practical tips. I can only agree with you. Each Chorale is a master piece, but the BWV 617 has a little bit the edge over the others. There are a few bars which are so celestially emotional: 19-22. I wish I had the musical knowledge to fully understand what he did here. 😳🤷🏼♂️🙏
Really glad you enjoyed the episode and not least Bach's music. None of us really understand how he did it, but we can certainly appreciate and enjoy the results! Tim
Diolch yn fawr iawn am gyfres o wersi penigamp. Dwi’n cael blas mawr arnynt ac maent yn gaffeiliad ardderchog i mi wrth ddysgu’r Orgelbüchlein yn ei gyfanrwydd.
Mor hyfryd cael neges yn Iaith yr Nef. Dwi'n falch iawn bod y gwersi yn ddefnyddiol - ac eich bod yn dysgu'r Orgelbüchlein yn ei gyfanrwydd. Prosiect wych! Pob bendith, Tim
For all the Orgelbüchlein episodes in order, see ruclips.net/p/PLABcWksVExXsIRFhMOewhg1hNzPDUxAsR
You're continuing Bach's good work on Earth as a teacher. It's so fascinating to learn about the book itself, not to mention your expertise on performing the works. I can see why BWV 617 is your favourite!
Thank you so much for the encouragement. Making the series is great fun: that it's of use as well is lovely to hear. Tim
I’m glad you say this is your favourite chorale prelude of Orgelbüchlein - it’s my favourite too! It’s so beautiful and very beautiful to play too, although you have to be calm as you say. I often think the left hand describes Simeon’s departure with its moving semiquavers.
I enjoyed your performance but personally I avoid using mutations in the left hand. To my ears they interfere with the chorale in the right hand and upset the balance of the texture. I prefer a Principal or a string stop in the left hand, acknowledging the increasing number of these stops being included in contemporary organs of Bach’s time and region. It also accords better with the calm and slightly doleful affect of the piece. However I really like your tempo (pretty much the same as mine!); I’m no fan of playing it faster, it always feels like Simeon is in a hurry or, worse, a race to leave, it leaves the piece with a very schizophrenic affect if so played.
I find I need to approach each chorale prelude in Orgelbüchlein individually - trying to approach them as a whole set is too much for me to take in at once.
Many thanks for your thoughtful comment. Yes, I do agree that there is so much in each prelude that we have to focus on them one at a time. I did play them as a set a few times, many years ago, but that's probably as indigestible to listen to as it is difficult to bring a fresh identity to each piece! Tim
Sooo fantastic beautiful,😊 I didnt know this one. I will try to learn it. But what registration do you use. I tried to work it out from the stop list in the information but couldnt think what you were using.
Yes, as I say, this one is my absolute favourite OB prelude. I used a slightly unusual registration here (so it's not surprising you couldn't identify it): pedals 16+8 Gedakt uncoupled; chorale melody on Ryggpositiv 8+4+tremulant; left hand on the Oververk with both 8's, the 4' flute and the II Kornett and the box shut.
Hello Dr. Tim, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, especially the practical tips. I can only agree with you. Each Chorale is a master piece, but the BWV 617 has a little bit the edge over the others. There are a few bars which are so celestially emotional: 19-22. I wish I had the musical knowledge to fully understand what he did here. 😳🤷🏼♂️🙏
Really glad you enjoyed the episode and not least Bach's music. None of us really understand how he did it, but we can certainly appreciate and enjoy the results! Tim
Diolch yn fawr iawn am gyfres o wersi penigamp. Dwi’n cael blas mawr arnynt ac maent yn gaffeiliad ardderchog i mi wrth ddysgu’r Orgelbüchlein yn ei gyfanrwydd.
Mor hyfryd cael neges yn Iaith yr Nef. Dwi'n falch iawn bod y gwersi yn ddefnyddiol - ac eich bod yn dysgu'r Orgelbüchlein yn ei gyfanrwydd. Prosiect wych! Pob bendith, Tim