Walcha: Chorale Preludes,, Vol. 1

Featuring

Wolfgang Rübsam
Helmut Walcha

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Composition History

Helmut Walcha's chorale preludes originated from his improvisations on congregational chorales during his humble service in Lutheran liturgy at the Dreikönigskirche.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Helmut Walcha, the composer, turned away from the late-Romantic style midway through his career to advocate for Baroque music, especially that of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Composer Biography

Helmut Walcha, one of the most influential organists of the twentieth century, became blind at age seventeen, which contributed to the clarity of his organ textures.

Instruments

The organ used for this recording, John Brombaugh Organ Opus 35, was completed in June 2004 and is located at the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois.

Instruments

The John Brombaugh Organ Opus 35 is tuned in Herbert Kellner's 'Bach' temperament, a mild unequal temperament suitable for music of all periods.

Compositional Technique

Helmut Walcha's chorale preludes incorporate various compositional strategies, including simple pedal points, ostinatos, motivic melodic organization, and fugal imitation, inspired by masters like Pachelbel, Buxtehude, and Bach.

Performer Biography

Wolfgang Rübsam, the performer on this album, studied under Helmut Walcha and Marie-Claire Alain, and won the 1973 Grand Prix de Chartres in Interpretation.