Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Chorale Prelude

Compose Date

:

ca. 1690

Average_duration

:

3:33

Dietrich Buxtehude's 'Chorale prelude for organ in C major, BuxWV 184, Ein' Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott' is a masterpiece of Baroque music. It was composed in the late 17th century and is one of Buxtehude's most famous works. The piece is based on the hymn 'Ein' Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott' (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God) by Martin Luther. The premiere of the piece is not known, but it was likely performed in Buxtehude's church in Lübeck, where he was the organist. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different verse of the hymn. The first movement is a majestic introduction that sets the tone for the piece. It features a grandiose melody played on the organ's pedals, accompanied by a simple chord progression in the manuals. The second movement is a fugue that is based on the first line of the hymn. It is a complex and intricate piece that showcases Buxtehude's skill as a composer. The third movement is a gentle and contemplative piece that is based on the second line of the hymn. It features a delicate melody played on the manuals, accompanied by a simple bass line in the pedals. The final movement is a triumphant and joyful piece that is based on the final line of the hymn. It features a lively melody played on the manuals, accompanied by a virtuosic pedal line. Overall, Buxtehude's 'Chorale prelude for organ in C major, BuxWV 184, Ein' Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott' is a masterpiece of Baroque music. It showcases Buxtehude's skill as a composer and his ability to create complex and intricate pieces that are still accessible to listeners today. The piece is a testament to the enduring power of Martin Luther's hymn and the influence it had on the music of the Baroque era.

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