The Organ Music of J. S. Bach

A classic study of Bach's organ works, fully revised in 2003 to take account of recent scholarship.

Peter Williams (Author)

9780521891158, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 December 2003

638 pages, 297 music examples
24.3 x 17.2 x 3.2 cm, 1.04 kg

'The original publication was always stimulating to consult and highly thought-provoking, and it is pleasing that the author has retained this engaging - and sometimes quite challenging - approach. A remarkable achievement.' The Consort

This is a completely revised 2003 edition of volumes I and II of The Organ Music of J. S. Bach (1980), a bestselling title, which has subsequently become a classic text. This edition takes account of Bach scholarship of the 25 years prior to publication. Peter Williams's piece-by-piece commentary puts the musical sources of the organ works in context, describing the form and content of each work and relating them to other music, German and non-German. He summarises the questions about the history, authenticity, chronology, function and performance of each piece, and points out important details of style and musical quality. The study follows the order of the Bach catalogue (BWV), beginning with the sonatas, then the 'free works', followed by chorales and ending with the doubtful works, including the 'newly discovered chorales' of 1985.

Fugue in G Minor, BWV 131a
Six Sonatas, BWV 525-530
Preludes and Fugues (Praeludia), BWV 531-552
Eight Short Preludes and Fugues, BWV 553-560
Miscellaneous Pieces, BWV 561-591
Concertos, BWV 592-596
Orgelbüchlein, BWV 599-644
Schübler Chorales, BWV 645-650
Chorales formerly called 'The Eighteen', BWV 651-668
Chorales from Clavierübung III, BWV 669-689
Chorales formerly called 'The Kirnsberger Collection', BWV 690-713
Miscellaneous Chorales, BWV 714-765
Chorale Variations (Partitas), BWV 766-771
Four Duets from Clavierübung III, BWV 802-805
Chorales now called 'The Neumeister Collection', BWV 1090-1120
Further works, in part uncertain of origin
Calendar
Glossary.

Subject Areas: Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH], Music [AV]