J. S Bach Vol. 1

J. S Bach Vol. 2

The Fabulous French Vol. 1

The Fabulous French Vol. 2

Louis, Louis!

Fanfares and Noels

The 20th Century

Major Works in Minor Keys

Musique Heroique

Program Notes for J.S. Bach Volume two

Sinfonia to Cantata no. 29 was originally written for unaccompanied violin in the key of E major, then transcribed by Bach for Orchestra, Continuo and Tympani into the key of D major. The rendition heard on this volume represents Bach's transcription and uses the Virtual Orchestra and a small organ as tonal resources. A solo violin plays the treble part, accompanied by 2nd violin, viola, contrabass and tympani. The continuo parts are played on the organ and harpsichord.

"Kommst du nun, Jesu, von Himmel herunter" is number 6 of the so called "Schübler" chorales. Bach frequently used the pedal division to sound the Cantus or melody of his choral prelude settings, but in this case, the Cantus is played by various solo instruments, including the Flugelhorn, French Horn and English Horn. 
    The bass is played by the left hand using light foundation stops on the Great division.  The right hand plays a flowing and lyrical passage, using flutes 8' and 4' on the Positiv division.

Bach's Trio Sonatas are so called as they each contain a group of three movements, each movement has only three voices. These voices one for the right hand, one for the left hand, one played on the pedals. The movements are typically a tuneful Adagio surrounded by bright Allegros on either side.
    These Sonatas would seem to be deceptively simple, but are some of the most difficult to play in all of organ literature. The separate voices almost require the organist to have three separate brains in order to process the information. A technique taught over time is to concentrate on a fourth task, such as swiveling the hips to position the player into the correct position to play the pedals.  
    The Trio Sonata no. 5 in this volume is typical of the genre´. 

"Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" is one of the Schübler chorale settings, this is Bach's arrangement for organ of the famous tenor setting of "Sleepers Awake" from Cantata 140.

Lyrics
"Wake, awake, for night is flying; 
The watchmen on the heights are crying: 
Awake, Jerusalem, at last! 
Midnight hears the welcome voices 
And at the thrilling cry rejoices; 
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past; 
The Bridegroom comes, awake; 
Your lamps with gladness take; 
Alleluia! / And for His marriage feast prepare 
For ye must go and meet Him there."

This setting begins with a brief "contemporary" Piano Prelude, inspired by perhaps too many nights sitting in Micheals' in Sunnyvale, California, listening to the superb jazz piano of Karyn Leigh. 
    The Chorale begins with Great foundations and mixtures, with the Cantus played on the Recit´
reeds 8' and 4'. The repeat of this statement uses the Great minor principal chorus with the Cantus played by the Krummhorn. 
    The recapitulation uses both Great and Recit´ principal choruses with the Tuba Mirabilis and Clarion Mirabilis sounding the Cantus.

Chorale Prelude "Erbarm' dich mein, o Herre Gott" a serious but melodious piece. The melody is initially played on a 'Cello with a string section playing the pulsing, rhythmic accompaniment. The center section alternates to the Recit Flutes 8' & 4' with a minor 8' principal playing the melody.

    The Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major is one of the middle period organ works of Bach. The Toccata begins with manual flourishes and a pedal solo.
     A tuneful A minor Adagio starts with the Positiv 8' Regal and continues with various solo voices. There is an ominous sounding interlude following the Adagio that resolves to a satisfying C major chord.  
    The Fugue has an unusual feature in that in sounds like there are two different times signatures operating. Many times through the Fugue, the SATB voices are assigned a different sound selection the maximize voice clarity.  

Air on the G String is Bach at his most melodious. This well known tune is treated with the Cor Anglais and flute carrying the melodies. 

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Last modified: May 21, 2005