Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Christopher Herrick :: Bach: 'Wachet auf!' The Schübler, Leipzig and Kirnberger Chorales

A chorale prelude is simply a piece of organ music based on a pre-existing Lutheran hymn tune. In church, they can be used to introduce and remind the congregation of the hymn about to be sung, or they might be played afterwards, replacing certain verses for giving worshippers a moment to meditate on the meaning of the words. In cases where the composition is very fanciful and the melody well hidden, then the piece is simply a freestanding work of art with no other purpose than to stimulate the listener. You don't have to know the tunes to understand this music. Its beauty strikes you immediately, particularly in these glowing performances. Bach's chorale preludes have always been respected, but they deserve to be loved. --David Hurwitz