Chorale fantasia
Encyclopedia
Chorale fantasia is a type of large organ
composition based on a chorale
melody. The term also applies to large-scale vocal Chorale
settings in such works as the St Matthew Passion (especially the ending of Part I) and Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn, BWV 23 (especially Movement IV) of Johann Sebastian Bach
.
such as Heinrich Scheidemann
and Franz Tunder
(who, however, rarely used the term). Their works would treat each phrase of a chorale differently, thus becoming large, sectional compositions with elaborate development of the chorale melody. By mid-18th century this type of organ composition was practically non-existent. Johann Sebastian Bach
used the term first to designate a whole variety of different organ chorale types (during the Weimar period), and then limited its use to large compositions with the chorale melody presented in the bass. Although the term "chorale fantasia chorus" is sometimes used to describe the opening chorus of a chorale cantata by Bach, this is misleading. In the 19th century the chorale fantasia was revived by Max Reger
, who applied the term to monumental pieces based on chorale melodies.
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
composition based on a chorale
Chorale
A chorale was originally a hymn sung by a Christian congregation. In certain modern usage, this term may also include classical settings of such hymns and works of a similar character....
melody. The term also applies to large-scale vocal Chorale
Chorale
A chorale was originally a hymn sung by a Christian congregation. In certain modern usage, this term may also include classical settings of such hymns and works of a similar character....
settings in such works as the St Matthew Passion (especially the ending of Part I) and Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn, BWV 23 (especially Movement IV) of Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
.
History
Chorale fantasias first appeared in the 17th century in the works of North German composersGerman organ schools
The 17th century organ composers of Germany can be divided into two primary schools: the north German school and the south German school...
such as Heinrich Scheidemann
Heinrich Scheidemann
Heinrich Scheidemann was a German organist and composer. He was the best-known composer for the organ in north Germany in the early to mid-17th century, and was an important forerunner of Dieterich Buxtehude and J.S. Bach.-Life:...
and Franz Tunder
Franz Tunder
Franz Tunder was a German composer and organist of the early to middle Baroque era. He was an important link between the early German Baroque style which was based on Venetian models, and the later Baroque style which culminated in the music of J.S...
(who, however, rarely used the term). Their works would treat each phrase of a chorale differently, thus becoming large, sectional compositions with elaborate development of the chorale melody. By mid-18th century this type of organ composition was practically non-existent. Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
used the term first to designate a whole variety of different organ chorale types (during the Weimar period), and then limited its use to large compositions with the chorale melody presented in the bass. Although the term "chorale fantasia chorus" is sometimes used to describe the opening chorus of a chorale cantata by Bach, this is misleading. In the 19th century the chorale fantasia was revived by Max Reger
Max Reger
Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger was a German composer, conductor, pianist, organist, and academic teacher.-Life:...
, who applied the term to monumental pieces based on chorale melodies.
North German tradition
- Heinrich ScheidemannHeinrich ScheidemannHeinrich Scheidemann was a German organist and composer. He was the best-known composer for the organ in north Germany in the early to mid-17th century, and was an important forerunner of Dieterich Buxtehude and J.S. Bach.-Life:...
– Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ - Heinrich Scheidemann – Ein feste Burg
- Heinrich Scheidemann – In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr (I)
- Heinrich Scheidemann – Jesus Christus unser Heiland (I)
- Heinrich Scheidemann – Vater unser (II)
- Franz TunderFranz TunderFranz Tunder was a German composer and organist of the early to middle Baroque era. He was an important link between the early German Baroque style which was based on Venetian models, and the later Baroque style which culminated in the music of J.S...
– Auf meinen lieben Gott - Franz Tunder – Christ lag in Todesbanden
- Franz Tunder – Herr Gott dich loben wir
- Franz Tunder – In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr
- Franz Tunder – Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott
- Franz Tunder – Was kann uns kommen an für Not (2 versions)
- Johann Bahr – O lux beata Trinitas (1655)
- Johann Adam ReinckenJohann Adam ReinckenJohann Adam Reincken was a Dutch/German organist and composer...
– An Wasserflüssen Babylon - Johann Adam Reincken – Was kann uns kommen an für Not
- Dieterich BuxtehudeDieterich BuxtehudeDieterich Buxtehude was a German-Danish organist and composer of the Baroque period. His organ works represent a central part of the standard organ repertoire and are frequently performed at recitals and in church services...
– Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BuxWV 188 - Dieterich Buxtehude – Ich dank dir, lieber Herre, BuxWV 194
- Dieterich Buxtehude – Ich dank dir schon durch deinen Sohn, BuxWV 195
- Dieterich Buxtehude – Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ , BuxWV 196
- Dieterich Buxtehude – Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV 203
- Dieterich Buxtehude – Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV 204
- Dieterich Buxtehude – Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein, BuxWV 210
- Dieterich Buxtehude – Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren, BuxWV 212
- Dieterich Buxtehude – Te Deum laudamus, BuxWV 218
- Dieterich Buxtehude – Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV 223
- Nicolaus BruhnsNicolaus BruhnsNicolaus Bruhns was a German organist, violinist, and composer. He was one of the most prominent organists and composers of his generation.-Life:...
– Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland - Vincent LübeckVincent LübeckVincent Lübeck was a German composer and organist. He was born in Padingbüttel and worked as organist and composer at Stade's St. Cosmae et Damiani and Hamburg's famous St. Nikolai , where he played one of the largest contemporary organs...
– Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ - Vincent Lübeck – Nun lasst uns Gott, den Herrn
Later examples
- Johann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
– Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BWVBWVThe Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis is the numbering system identifying compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. The prefix BWV, followed by the work's number, is the shorthand identification for Bach's compositions...
651 and 651a - Johann Sebastian Bach – Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658a
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659a
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 713 and 713a
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 718
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 735 and 735a
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hältWo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hältWo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält is an organ chorale fantasia written by the composer Johann Sebastian Bach, BWV 1128. The manuscript was recently discovered on 15 March 2008 at an auction of items from the collection of Wilhelm Rust...
, BWV 1128 - Max RegerMax RegerJohann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger was a German composer, conductor, pianist, organist, and academic teacher.-Life:...
– Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott (1898) - Max Reger – Freu' dich sehr, o meine Seele (1898)
- Max Reger – Wie schön leucht't uns der Morgenstern (1899)
- Max Reger – Straf' mich nicht in deinem Zorn (1899)
- Max Reger – Alle Menschen müssen sterben (1900)
- Max Reger – Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (1900)
- Max Reger – Hallejula! Gott zu loben, bleibe meine Seelenfreud (1900)