Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

before 1715

Publication Date

:

1958

Johann Sebastian Bach's "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland (III), BWV 659a" is a chorale prelude for organ. It was composed in Weimar in 1714 and is based on the hymn "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland" by Martin Luther. The piece was likely premiered during a church service in Weimar. The chorale prelude is divided into four movements. The first movement is a slow and solemn introduction, featuring a descending chromatic line in the bass. The second movement is a fugue, with the melody of the hymn presented in the soprano voice and imitated by the other voices. The third movement is a trio, with the melody in the upper voice and two accompanying voices in the lower register. The final movement is a grand chorale, with the melody presented in the pedal and the other voices providing harmonies. The piece is characterized by its use of counterpoint and chromaticism. Bach employs a variety of contrapuntal techniques, including imitation, inversion, and augmentation, to create a complex and intricate texture. The chromaticism in the bass line adds a sense of tension and drama to the piece, while the use of suspensions and dissonances creates moments of harmonic tension and release. Overall, "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland (III), BWV 659a" is a masterful example of Bach's skill as a composer of organ music. Its intricate counterpoint and chromaticism make it a challenging piece for performers, but also a rewarding one for listeners.

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