Johann Sebastian Bach/Carl Philip Emanuel Bach, Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (BWV Anh. II 73)

by admin · December 15, 2024

One of the most popular compositions from Bach’s Orgelbüchlein is undoubtedly the prelude to the choral “Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ”, BWV 639. In this composition the evocative mood of the choral melody is supported by the pedals, playing a steady succession of repeated 8th notes and reinforced by despairing middle voice. Bach’s son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, probably likes the composition as well and he thought the composition deserved to be a little longer. He adapted the composition witn an introduction of almost 3 bars and a little coda of again 3 bars. He also extended the small interludia between the phrases of the choral melody. This adaptation was added to the BWV-catalog as BWV Anh. II 73.

One might argue whether or not the adaptation is an improvement of the original composition. Fact is that the beauty of the original remains intact and the added bars offer a little more time to enjoy the evocative mood of the piece. I actually quite like this version.

The recording was done with the Hauptwerk software and the sampleset, made by Sonus Paradisi, of the Schnittger organ in the St. Martini-kerk, Groningen (https://www.sonusparadisi.cz/en/organs/netherlands/groningen-st-martini.html).

Score
Bach, Ich ruf zu dir (BWV Anh II. 73)