The Great Leipzig Chorales
or Eighteen poems for a desert island
& Canonical Variations
In the last period of his life, J.S. Bach, partly freed from the obligations to produce inherent in his position as 'Director Musices', followed a narrow path, one that led him to create works of quintessence, in which, from material limited to the extreme, he created rare works that are charged with symbolism and that embraced the ideal of the Renaissance, of the Musica reservata - that language that can only really be understood by the initiated. These include the Clavierübung III, and above all the Art of the Fugue BWV 1080, the Musical Offering BWV 1079 and the Canonical Variations on the Chorale Vom Himmel Hoch BWV 769.
It is admirable to see, in the extreme degree of elaboration that conferred on this last work the rank of ‘magnum opus' and opened the doors of a community of scholars, the Mitzler Society of Musical Sciences, to the composer shortly before his death, the height of inspiration and seduction to which the work attains, even though it is composed exclusively of various canons which are constantly combined with the chorale statement.
At the same time, Bach continued to create sensitive, highly varied and expressive works: just as he conceived his Mass in B minor BWV 232 on the basis of cantatas previously created, and reworked it right up to his last years, the act of constant improvement ran parallel to the composition of great recapitulatory cycles such as the Clavierübungen I and II, and the Well-Tempered Clavier II.
The Leipzig Chorales are contained in a manuscript that also includes the Six Trio Sonatas BWV 525-530, the Canonical Variations BWV 769a and the chorale Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein / Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit BWV 668 (which was later added to the first 17 chorales). They fall between these two approaches: created in the Weimar years alongside the Orgelbüchlein BWV 599-644 (an open collection of chorales in concise versions), Bach reworked this vast collection in the form of ‘various Preludes and Chorale Fantasies’, i.e. the most beautiful accomplishments , rather a collection than a cycle in that there is no obvious logical order, in contrast to Clavier-Übung III.
The new versions are sometimes more imposing (the first Komm Heiliger Geist), always more elaborate. Opening and closing with two organo pleno blocks invoking the Holy Spirit, they include a succession of: ornamental chorales (including the very famous Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, but also two of the Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr with their richly ornamented melody; figurative chorales in the manner of Pachelbel; partitas on O Lamm Gottes unschuldig; and, finally, concertante trios in the manner of the Six Trio Sonatas; all these solutions nourished and exalted by the genius of a composer who is at the peak of his art.
The chorales make use of the rich sound resources of the central German organ, such as the one built by the Thomas workshop in the church of Saint Loup in Namur, Belgium. The possibility of recreating plenos of different characters, thick, harsh or brilliant, alongside a wide variety of reeds, principals, flutes, gambas and quintatons, invite us to celebrate a rich palette of sounds rarely heard, which surprised listeners when they heard the composer's astonishing inventiveness in the art of registration*.
For me as a performer, it is a challenge as well as an immense pleasure to follow and extend the creative process of a masterpiece which, like the Partitas for harpsichord (see my recording for the Ligia label), constitutes, in its spirit of diversity and synthesis, an absolute summit between the eminently sensitive art of the cantatas and the intellectual and rarefied final Bach works.
Martin Gester, 2025
* In gathering information for his Bach biography, Joh. Nikolaus Forkel asked C.P.E. Bach about his mode of organ playing. On the subject of registering, Emmanuel replied :
"No one understood registration at the organ as well as he. Organists were often terrified when he sat down to play on their organs and drew the stops in his own manner, for they thought that the effect could not be good as he was planning it. But the they gradually heard an effect that astounded them. These sciences perished with him".
Quoted in : Stauffer, George : Bach's Organ Registration Reconsidered in J.S. Bach as Organist, Indiana University Press 1986, p. 193 sq.
cf also
Stauffer, George B., J. S. Bach: The Organ Works (New York, 2024; online edn, Oxford Academic, 23 May 2024), https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195108026.001.0001.
Peter Williams: The Organ Music of J. S. Bach - Cambridge University Press 2003 (2d edition), ISBN 10 : 0521891159 / ISBN 13 : 9780521891158
The Great 18 Leipzig Chorales / Achtzehn Choräle von verschiedener Art
1. Fantasia super 'Komm, Heiliger Geist’, BWV 651
in organo pleno, il canto fermo nel pedale
2. Komm, Heiliger Geist, BWV 652
alio modo / à 2 claviers et pédale
3. An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653
à 2 claviers et pédale
4. Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654
à 2 claviers et pédale
5. Trio super 'Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend’, BWV 655
à 2 claviers et pédale
6. O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV 656
3 versus
7. Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 657
à 2 claviers et pédale / il canto fermo nel soprano
8. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658
il canto fermo nel pedale
9. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
à 2 claviers et pédale
10. Trio super 'Nun komm der Heiden Heiland’, BWV 660
a due bassi e canto fermo
11. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661
in organo pleno / il canto fermo nel pedale
(2d CD)
12. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 662
à 2 claviers et pédale / il canto fermo nel soprano
13. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 663
à 2 claviers et pédale / il canto fermo nel tenore
14. Trio super 'Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr’, BWV 664
à 2 claviers et pédale
15. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 665
sub communione / pedaliter
16. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 666
alio modo
17. Komm, Gott, Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist, BWV 667
in organo pleno / con pedale obligato
18. Vor deinen Thron tret' ich / Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 668a
il canto fermo nel canto
Canonical Variations on the Chorale « Vom Himmel hoch » /
Kanonische Veränderungen über das Lied ‘Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her’ BWV 769 (1747)
Variatio 1 nel canone all’ottava / à 2 claviers et pédale
Variatio 2 alio modo / nel canone alla quinta / à 2 claviers et pédale
Variatio 3 Canone alla settima - Cantabile
Variatio 4 à 2 claviers et pédale / per augmentation / nel canone all’ottava
Variatio 4 L’altra sorte del canone al rovescio : 1 alla terza / 2 alla sesta / 3 alla seconda / 4 alla nona / diminutio / alla stretta.
The Thomas organ at Saint Loup church in Namur (B)
Technical specifications and composition: click on the image.
Recording made in October 2024 at Saint Loup Church in Namur with the collaboration of Nico de Clerck - Organroxx, sound recording, editing and artistic supervision.
We would like to thank
- the Association Orgues de Saint Loup.be for their hospitality and for making the venue available.
- Cindy Castillo, titular curator and artistic director of the Thomas organs at Saint-Loup Church, for her availability and insightful advice.
- Publisher Bruno Procopio and his team at the PARATY label for their remarkable CD production and valuable advices.
The Chorales
1 & 2. Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott,
Erfüll mit deiner Gnaden Gut
Deiner Gläubigen Herz, Mut und Sinn,
Dein' brünstig Lieb' entzünd' in ihn'n!
O Herr, durch deines Lichtes Glast
Zu dem Glauben versammelt hast
Das Volk aus aller Welt Zungen;
Das sei dir, Herr, zu Lob gesungen!
Halleluja! Halleluja!
Martin Luther after Veni Sancte Spiritus 1524
Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God,
fill with the goodness of your grace
the heart, spirit and mind of your believers,
kindle in them your ardent love !
O Lord, through the splendour of your light
you have gathered in faith
people from all the tongues of the world;
so that in your praise Lord, may there be sung
Halleluja! Halleluja!
2 You holy light, precious refuge,
let the word of life enlighten us
and teach us to know God truly,
to call him father from our heart!
O Lord, protect us from strange doctrines
so that we may never look for any teacher
except Jesus in true belief
and may trust him wholeheartedly!
Halleluja! Halleluja!
Translation by Francis Browne
3. An Wasserflüssen Babylon
da saßen wir mit Schmerzen,
als wir gedachten an Zion
da weinten wir von Herzen!
Wir hingen auf mit schwerem Mut,
die Harfen und die Orgeln gut
an ihre Baum der Weiden,
die drinnen sind in ihrem Land,
da mußten wir viel Schmach und Schand
täglich von ihnen leiden.
Wolfgang Dachstein, Strasbourg 1525
At the ryvers of Babilon,
There sat we downe ryght hevely;
Even whan we thought upon Sion,
We wepte together sorofully.
For we were in soch hevynes,
That we forgat al our merynes,
And lefte of all oure sporte and playe:
On the willye trees that were thereby
We hanged up oure harpes truly,
And morned sore both nyght and daye.
4. Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele,
laß die dunkle Sündenhöhle,|
komm ans helle Licht gegangen,
fange herrlich an zu prangen!
Denn der Herr, voll Heil und Gnaden,
will dich jetzt zu Gaste laden;
der den Himmel kann verwalten,
will jetzt Herberg' in dir halten.
Johann Franck & Johann Crüger, 1649
Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness,
Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness;
Come into the daylight’s splendor,
There with joy thy praises render
Unto Christ whose grace unbounded
Hath this wondrous banquet founded.
Higher o’er all the heav’ns He reigneth,
Yet to dwell with thee He deigneth.
5. Herr Jesu Christ! dich zu uns wend,
Dein' Heil'gen Geist du zu uns send:
Mit Hilf' und Gnad', er uns regier
Und uns den Weg zur Wahrheit führ.
Attr. to Wilhelm II. von Saxen-Weimar, 1648
1. Lord Jesus Christ! Turn towards us,
send your Holy Spirit to us:
with her help and grace may he rule us
and lead us on the way to truth.
2. Open our mouths to your praise,
make our hearts ready for worship,
increase our faith, strengthen our understanding
so that your name will be well known to us.
6. O Lamm Gottes unschuldig
O Lamm Gottes unschuldig,
am Stamm des Kreuzes geschlachtet,
allzeit funden geduldig,
wiewohl du warest verachtet:
all' Sünd' hast du getragen,
sonst müßten wir verzagen.
Erbarm' dich unser, o Jesu!
Nikolaus Decius 1531
O Lamb of God, pure, spotless,
Who on the Cross didst languish,
Who suffered man's unkindness,
And knew the bitt'rest anguish;
Our sin Thou bearest for us,
Else hell had triumphed o'er us:
Have mercy on us, O Jesu!
3. O Lamb of God, pure, spotless,
Who on the Cross didst languish,
Who suffered man's unkindness,
And knew the bitt'rest anguish;
Our sin Thou bearest for us,
Else hell had triumphed o'er us:
Thy peace give to us, O Jesu.
Transl. Charles Sanford Terry
7. Nun danket alle Gott
Mit Herzen, Mund und Händen,
Der große Dinge tut
An uns und allen Enden,
Der uns von Mutterleib
Und Kindesbeinen an
Unzählig viel zugut
Und noch jetzund getan.
Text Martin Rinkart, XVIe s.
Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mother's arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
8. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen
Von Gott will ich nicht laßen
Denn er läßt nicht von mir,
Führt mich auf rechter Straßen,
Da ich sonst irrte sehr,
Reichet mir seine Hand.
Den Abend wie den Morgen
Tut er mich wohl versorgen,
Sei, wo ich woll', im Land.
I shall not abandon God
For he does not abandon me,
he leads me on the right way,
where I would otherwise go far astray,
he reaches out his hand to me.
Morning and evening
he takes good care of me
wherever I may be.
When human support and help
are completely ineffective,
then God is soon found,
His power and grace prove their worth,
he helps us in all distress,
He rescues us from sin and shame,
from chains and from bonds
and even from death.
Transl. Francis Browne
9, 10, 11. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland,
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland,
Der Jungfrauen Kind erkannt!
Dass sich wundre alle Welt,
Gott solch' Geburt ihm bestellt.
Martin Luther 1524 after Veni redemptor gentium (IV. Jh.)
Now come, Saviour of the gentiles,
recognised as the child of the Virgin,
so that all the world is amazed
God ordained such a birth for him.
Not from man’s flesh and blood
but only from the Holy Spirit
has God’s Word became man
and flourishes as the fruit of a woman’s body.
12, 13, 14. Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr'
Und Dank für seine Gnade,
Darum daß nun und nimmermehr
Uns rühren kann kein Schade.
Ein Wohlgefall'n Gott an uns hat,
Nun ist groß' Fried' ohn' Unterlaß,
All' Fehd' hat nun ein Ende.
Text : Martin Luther - Mus.: Nikolaus Decius (1522)
To God alone on high be glory
and thanks for his mercy,
since now and forever more
no harm can touch us.
God is pleased with us,
now there is great peace without cease,
all feuds have now an end.
…
3 We praise, extol, worship you
for your glory; we give thanks
that you, God the Father eternally
rule withoutat any faltering.
Your power is boundless,
what your will has intended always happens.
How good for us is our splendid Lord!
15 & 16. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland
der den Tod überwand,
ist auferstanden,
die Sünd hat er gefangen.
Kyrie eleison.
2 Der ohn Sünden war geboren,
trug für uns Gottes Zorn,
hat uns versöhnet,
daß Gott uns sein Huld gönnet.
Kyrie eleison.
Text & mus. : Martin Luther (1524)
1 Jesus Christ, who came to save,
And overcame the grave,
Is now arisen,
And sin hath bound in prison.
Kyrieleison!
2. Who without sin was found,
Bore our transgression's wound.
He is our Saviour,
And brings us to God's favor.
Kyrieleison!
17. Komm,Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist,
Besuch das Herz der Menschen dein,
Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist,
Besuch das Herz der Menschen dein,
2. Denn du bist der Tröster genannt,
Des Allerhöchsten Gabe teu'r,
Ein geistlich Salb an uns gewandt,
Ein lebend Brunn, Lieb und Feu’r...
Martin Luther 1524 after the hymn "Veni creator spritus » (VIIIe s.)
1 Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost,
And visit thou these souls of men;
Fill them with graces, as thou dost,
Thy creatures make pure again.
2. For Comforter thy name we call.
Sweet gift of God most high above,
A holy unction to us all
O Fount of life, Fire of love.
18. Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein
Und wißen nicht, wo aus noch ein,
Und finden weder Hilf' noch Rat,
Ob wir gleich sorgen früh und spat:
2 So ist dies unser Trost allein,
Daß wir zusammen insgemein
Dich rufen an, o treuer Gott,
Um Rettung aus der Angst und Not.
Texte Paul Eber, 1566, d'après In tenebris nostrae mentis by J. Camerarius, c.1546
1. When we in deep distress and grief,
knowing not where to seek relief,
can find no help nor comfort here,
tho’ we have sought it far and near.
2. Then this alone our comfort be,
that we may all in unity
still call on Thee, true God, and know
Thou’lt save us from all fear and woe.
Alternative text for 18:
Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit,
O Gott, und dich demütig bitt:
Wend doch dein gnädig Angesicht
Von mir blutarmen/betrübtem Sünder nicht.
2 Ein selig Ende mir bescher,
Am jüngsten Tag erweck mich, Herr!
Daß ich dich schaue ewiglich.
Amen, Amen, erhöre mich.
Bodo von Hodenberg, 1640
1. Before your throne I now appear,
O God, and bid you humbly,
Turn not your merciful face
From me, a pale sinner.
2 Confer on me a blessed end,
On the last day awaken me, Lord!
That I may see you eternally.
Amen, Amen, hear me.
Translation: John Christian Jacobi (1720)
__________________________________
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm‘ ich her
Ich bring' euch gute neue Mär,
Der guten Mär bring' ich soviel,
Davon ich sing'n und sagen will.
2 Euch ist ein Kindlein heut geborn
Von einer Jungfrau auserkorn,
Ein Kindelein so zart und fein,
Das soll eur Freud und Wonne sein…
Text & music : Martin Luther (1534)
1. From heaven above to earth I come
To hear good news to ev'ry home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereov I now will say and sing:
2. To you this night in born a child
of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This little child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all your earth…
Transl. Catherine Winkworth
