Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639 (Orgelbüchlein)

The organ is an instrument built into a building. Selecting a variety of sounds for an organ composition which requires more than two is a new task on each different organ, and the varieties and combinations are essentially endless. In this chorale prelude in "trio" texture, three distinct organ sounds make up the musical texture, each with a distinct job. Bach's mastery of organ composition was demonstrated not just by long showy fugues and toccatas. The Orgelbüchlein is a collection of short chorale preludes in artful style and with the theological purpose of spanning the themes of the liturgical church year.  "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" is unique in texture for the Orgelbüchlein and distinctly known as a passionate and desperate call in time of need. It proves that an instrument as old and architecturally fixed as the church organ has the emotional power to convey this human condition.    Leo van Doeselaar plays: https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-639/ Piano transcription, Tatiana Nikolayeva: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0zw7CaplFY 

Om Podcasten

Welcome to A Moment of Bach, where we take our favorite moments from J. S Bach's vast output—just a minute's worth or even a few seconds—and show you why we think they are remarkable. Join hosts Alex Guebert and Christian Guebert for weekly moments! Check your podcast app and subscribe for upcoming episodes. Our recording samples are provided by the Netherlands Bach Society. Their monumental All of Bach project (to perform and record all of the works of J. S. Bach) will serve as source material for our episodes. https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/allofbach Artwork by Sydney LaCom