Bach, J.S.: Organ Chorales From the Leipzig Manuscript, Vol. 2

Featuring

Wolfgang Rübsam
Johann Sebastian Bach

Did you know?

1/7

Recording & Production

This album was recorded on June 21st and 22nd, 1993, at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, using the Taylor and Boody Organ.

Composer Biography

Johann Sebastian Bach came from a family of musicians and his sons continued this tradition, laying the groundwork for a new musical style in the later 18th century.

Composition History

The Canonic Variations on 'Vom Himmel hoch', BWV 769, were written around 1747 when Bach was admitted to Lorenz Christoph Mizler von Kolof's Corresponding Society of the Musical Sciences.

Composition History

Bach's compositions were often tailored to his various appointments, such as organ music when he was an organist, and instrumental music for the court orchestra at Cöthen where church music was not needed.

Composition History

The chorale 'Vor deinen Thron tret ich', BWV 668, is incomplete in the Leipzig Autograph and is a reworking of an earlier piece, 'Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein'.

Performer Biography

Wolfgang Rübsam, the performer on this album, received international recognition in 1973 when he won the Grand Prix de Chartres for Interpretation.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Bach's music represents the culmination of the Baroque era, synthesizing Italian melodic invention, French rhythmic dance forms, and German contrapuntal mastery.