Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Chorale Prelude

Compose Date

:

1750

Average_duration

:

3:44

'Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit (II), BWV 668a' is a chorale prelude composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is believed to have been composed in the early 1740s, towards the end of Bach's life. The piece is a reworking of an earlier chorale prelude, 'Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit (I), BWV 668', which was composed as part of Bach's 'Orgelbüchlein' in 1717. The piece is in four movements, each of which is based on a different verse of the chorale 'Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit'. The first movement is a simple chorale setting, with the melody in the upper voice and the other voices providing harmonies. The second movement is a fugue, with the melody presented in the bass voice and the other voices entering in imitation. The third movement is a trio, with the melody in the upper voice and the other two voices providing accompaniment. The final movement is a chorale setting, similar to the first movement, but with more elaborate harmonies. The piece is notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of tension and drama. The fugue in particular is a masterful example of Bach's contrapuntal skill, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex web of counterpoint. The trio is more lyrical and expressive, with the melody soaring above the accompaniment. The final chorale setting brings the piece to a peaceful and satisfying conclusion. Overall, 'Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit (II), BWV 668a' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Bach's mastery of the organ and his ability to create complex and beautiful music from simple chorale melodies.

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