Walcha: Chorale Preludes, Vol. 2

Featuring

Wolfgang Rübsam
Helmut Walcha

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Composer Biography

Helmut Walcha, one of the most influential organists of the 20th century, grew up in Leipzig, Germany, hearing J.S. Bach's cantatas performed weekly.

Compositional Technique

Helmut Walcha's chorale preludes use specific articulation markings, such as a small comma for a natural breath and a vertical wedge for melodic accent, to achieve contrapuntal clarity.

Composition History

Helmut Walcha began composing his chorale preludes during World War II, initially as a "humble service" for Lutheran liturgy at the Dreikönigskirche in Frankfurt am Main.

Instruments

The organ used for this recording, Opus 35 by John Brombaugh & Associates, was completed in June 2004 and features 3250 pipes across 49 registers.

Composer Biography

Helmut Walcha became blind at age seventeen, learning music by ear, which contributed to the clarity of his organ textures.

Performer Biography

Wolfgang Rübsam, the performer on this album, studied under Helmut Walcha and is known internationally for over a hundred acclaimed recordings of organ repertoire.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Helmut Walcha turned away from the late-Romantic style midway through his career to advocate for Baroque music, immersing himself in the organ and harpsichord music of J.S. Bach.