Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Chorale Prelude

Compose Date

:

1739

Publication Date

:

1739

Average_duration

:

4:58

'Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot (II), BWV 678' is a chorale prelude composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is a part of his collection of chorale preludes, which he composed during his tenure as the cantor of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. The piece was composed in the early 18th century, and its premiere date is unknown. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different verse of the hymn 'Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot' (These are the holy Ten Commandments). The first movement is a simple and straightforward setting of the hymn tune, with the melody played in the upper voice and the accompaniment in the lower voices. The second movement is a more complex and ornate setting of the hymn, with the melody played in the pedal and the accompaniment in the manuals. The third movement is a fugue based on the hymn tune, with the melody played in the upper voice and the accompaniment in the lower voices. The characteristics of the piece are typical of Bach's chorale preludes. The piece is written in a contrapuntal style, with each voice having its own independent melody. The harmonies are rich and complex, with frequent use of chromaticism and dissonance. The piece is also notable for its use of pedal, which adds depth and resonance to the sound. Overall, 'Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot (II), BWV 678' is a beautiful and complex piece of music that showcases Bach's mastery of counterpoint and harmony. Its use of the hymn tune as a basis for the three movements gives the piece a sense of unity and coherence, while the intricate interplay of the voices creates a rich and rewarding listening experience.

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