Nun Komm' der Heiden Heiland - BACH Preludes, Fugues et chorals
Edna Stern or instrumental vocality given back to keyboard
Throughout his life, Bach was profoundly influenced by the Lutheran chorale repertory, which he used extensively as a thematic basis for both vocal works (notably his cantatas) and instrumental music (organ pieces). The chorale Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland is a perfect example of this. The Lutheran Church adopted it to celebrate the first day of the liturgical year, namely the first day in Advent. Bach based three cantatas on this theme (BWV 61, BWV 62, and BWV 36) as well as several organ pieces (three of the ‘Eighteen’ Leipzig Chorales, one at the start of the Orgelbuchlein, and one in the Kirnberger anthology). The foregoing is closely connected with the present programme, devised by Edna Stern, which aims to present the element of instrumental vocality in Bach’s keyboard output by means of a sequence of works more akin to the cantata than to an abstract succession of pieces, thus relegating the question of the instrument to secondary importance. ( Franck Jaffres )
Edna Stern proposed an outstanding record built on four interpretations of BACH's Ciaccona (Brahms, Lutz, Busoni and Bach at violin with Amandine Beyer). This new record belongs to the same path. The choice of three chorals transcribed by Busoni and of 12 Preludes & Fugues takes us for an exploration of BACH's keyboard pieces beyond the specific environment of the piano. ( Zig-zag Territoires )
JS Bach:
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV659
Prelude and fugue No.2 BWV847
Prelude and fugue No.15 BWV860
Prelude and fugue No.10 BWV855
Brahms:
Schmuke dich O liebe Seele op.120
JS Bach:
Prelude and fugue No.9 BWV854
Prelude and fugue No.19 BWV864
Prelude and fugue No.6 BWV851
Ich ruf' zu dir Herr Jesu Christ BWV639 - Das Orgelbuchlein Part 3
Prelude and fugue No.12 BWV857
Prelude and fugue No.11 BWV856
Prelude and fugue No.22 BWV867
Wachand auf ruft uns die Stimme BWV645 - Cantata BWV140
Prelude and fugue No.21 BWV866
Prelude and fugue No.17 BWV862
Prelude and fugue No.7 BWV852
Recorded 04/2008
