Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1739

Publication Date

:

1739

Average_duration

:

01:50:27

Johann Sebastian Bach's Clavier-Übung III, also known as the German Organ Mass, is a collection of chorale preludes and fugues for organ. It was composed between 1735 and 1746 and premiered in Leipzig in 1739. The work is divided into four parts, each containing a different type of chorale prelude and fugue. The first part consists of 21 chorale preludes, which are settings of Lutheran hymns. These preludes are characterized by their simplicity and clarity, with the melody of the hymn being presented in a straightforward manner. The preludes are followed by four duets, which are two-part settings of the same hymns. The second part of the Clavier-Übung III consists of four duets and a single chorale prelude. The duets are more complex than those in the first part, with each voice having its own independent melody. The chorale prelude in this section is a setting of the hymn "Wir glauben all an einen Gott" (We all believe in one God). The third part of the work is a collection of nine chorale preludes and a single fugue. These preludes are more elaborate than those in the first part, with Bach using more complex harmonies and counterpoint. The fugue in this section is a setting of the hymn "Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr" (To God alone on high be glory). The final part of the Clavier-Übung III is a setting of the Lutheran Mass. It consists of four chorale preludes and a single fugue, each based on a different part of the Mass. The preludes are more elaborate than those in the first part, with Bach using more complex harmonies and counterpoint. The fugue in this section is a setting of the hymn "Dona nobis pacem" (Grant us peace). Overall, the Clavier-Übung III is a masterful collection of organ music that showcases Bach's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of Lutheran hymnody. The work is characterized by its clarity, simplicity, and complexity, and it remains a cornerstone of the organ repertoire to this day.

More....