Johann Sebastian Bach (?), Wir glauben all an einen Gott (BWV Anh. II 69)

The second appendix to the catalogue of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, contains the works of which Bach’s authorship is doubtful. Of some of these compositions one wonders why they ever made to this appendix at all, as they are clearly not written by Bach. Others, on the other hand, are so well written that they could be by Bach, even though their style differs from most of his other organ works.

One of the compositions in the latter categorie, is the prelude to the choral “Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott”. It has the choral melody in the pedals, and the hands play an accompaniment in a two part texture. The two voices of the accompaniment intertwine beautifully, exchanging motives and melodic ideas. The composition seems inspired by several similar compositions by Johann Michael Bach and/or Johann Pachelbel. The writing however is higher quality, indicating that either Pachelbel or J.M. Bach had a very inspire4d day, or it is a work from J.S. Bach’s youth.

Whoever the composer is, it is a joyful piece, that is a bit challenging to play, but all the more rewarding for that challenge.

The recording was done with the Hauptwerk software and the sampleset, made by Sonus Paradisi, of the Bader organ in the Walburgiskerk, Zutphen (https://www.sonusparadisi.cz/en/organs/netherlands/zutphen-virtual-organ-model.html).

Score
Bach, Wir Glauben all an einen Gott (BWV Anh. II 69)

Performance

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