Bach's Orgelbüchlein: an introduction for performers

Learning to play Bach on the organ, using the "Little Organ Book" or Orgelbüchlein. In this series of 46 films, we look at each prelude in turn and discuss performance issues. For all the Orgelbüchlein episodes in order, see
• Bach's Orgelbüchlein (... .
This half-hour introductory film looks at some of the general questions that we'll take for granted in each episode.
The series is presented by Dr Tim Rishton (www.rishton.eu), along with occasional guests. We use a variety of instruments, mostly in Norway and Germany.
The introductory video has been cut down from a longer talk that was recorded primarily for speech, so the recording of organ sound is not of good quality. Music sound recording is better in the individual episodes!
This episode was recorded in Bjerkreim Church in Norway. Details of the organ can be found on ryde-berg.no/o... . Details of each organ used can be found in this position on the individual pages.
List of episodes:
Introduction (this film)
1 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland -
Norwegian version/norsk versjon: • [Norwegian version] Ba...
English version: • [English version] Bach...
2 Gott, durch deine Güte: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
3 Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes Sohn: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
4 Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
5 Puer natus in Bethlehem: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
6 Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
7 Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
8 Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
9 Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar: • Performing Bach's Orge...
10 In dulci jubilo: • Performing Bach's Orge...
11 Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
12 Jesu, meine Freude: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
13 Christum wir sollen loben schon: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
14 Wir Christenleut': • Performing Bach's Orge...
15 Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen: • Performing Bach's Orge...
16 Das alte Jahr vergangen ist: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
17 In dir ist Freude: • Performing Bach's Orge...
18 Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin: • Performing Bach's Orge...
19 Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf: • Performing Bach's Orge...
20 O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig: • Performing Bach's Orge...
21 Christe, du Lamm Gottes: • Performing Bach's Orge...
22 Christus, der uns selig macht: • Performing Bach's Orge...
23 Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund: • Performing Bach's Orge...
24a O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß (organ): • Performing Bach's Orge...
24b O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß (conversation with John Parsons): • Performing Bach's Orge...
25 Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, daß du für uns gestorben bist: • Performing Bach's Orge...
26 Hilf Gott, daß mir's gelinge: • Performing Bach's Orge...
27 Christ lag in Todesbanden: • Performing Bach's Orge...
28 Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod überwand: • Performing Bach's Orge...
29 Christ ist erstanden: • Performing Bach's Orge...
30 Erstanden ist der heil'ge Christ: • Performing Bach's Orge...
31 Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
32 Heut' triumphieret Gottes Sohn: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
33 Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
34 Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend': • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
35 Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
36 Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot': • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
37 Learning to learn - Vater unser im Himmelreich: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
38 Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
39 Es ist das Heil uns kommen her: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
40 Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
41 Tempo - In dich hab' ich gehoffet, Herr: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
42 Playing the ornaments - Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
43 Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
44 Alle Menschen müssen sterben • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...
45 Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig: • Bach's Orgelbüchlein: ...

[@timrishton5871]

For all the Orgelbüchlein episodes in order, see kzbin.info/aero/PLABcWksVExXsIRFhMOewhg1hNzPDUxAsR

[@alroberts227]

I had decided to make the orgelbuchlein my year's project when I discovered these lessons. Simply extraordinary. Thanks Dr. Tim.

[@timrishton5871]

That's such a delight - thank you! Good luck with the project! Tim

[@MichaelCWBell]

I’m sorry to add another comment so soon. It strikes me this evening how much material we have to work with in this album. Not just physically, mentally, but the real purpose that is to hold the music itself, with chorale as centre. It’s one thing to play it but another to understand the music and text. I presume there is a reason for the sequence/order of the chorale preludes. I haven’t a clue to this. As things stand for myself now, I play around six or seven routinely, the substance of which cannot be overestimated. This one project would have been enough for any composer to be remembered, yet it is only one among so many others - quite extraordinary. Thank you Dr. Tim.

[@timrishton5871]

Great to hear from you again. Yes, it is humbling to think that this collection, which contains so very much, forms only a tiny part of Bach's output. The sequence/order of the collection is simple. It follows the hymn book. Advent first, then Christmas, New Year, Easter, Pentecost and so on, with the miscellaneous "themed" ones at the end. I've done one episode for each piece (all listed in order here: kzbin.info/aero/PLABcWksVExXsIRFhMOewhg1hNzPDUxAsR) and in many of them commented on the texts and meanings for each prelude. Regards, Tim

[@MichaelCWBell]

Oh, of course (and I think you said it, I’m hopeless at remembering some things sometimes). I have Wolfgang Rubsam’s recordings on Naxos. It is a beautiful Flentrop organ in Durham, USA. Do you have a preferred recording?

[@timrishton5871]

@@MichaelCWBell I grew up with Peter Hurford's recording. That he very occasionally indulges in an odd tempo or registration is a natural consequence of recording the whole set in one go, but one can't fail to be bowled over by his profound mastery of the music. Tim

[@evanofelipe]

Within minutes of listening to your intro I knew I would have to stay to hear what more you had to say about how you interpret Bach’s technique and method of compilation. Your enthusiasm and understanding of Bach’s music is contagious - thanks

[@timrishton5871]

Thanks for your encouragement. I hope you enjoy the series as much as I've enjoyed making it!

[@MichaelCWBell]

Gosh I would love a facsimile (is it called- the handwriting) copy like that. I didn’t realise it was an unfinished project. There’s so much one could say about the music. Enriching music, that deepens with greater familiarity. I totally agree with your view about the volume showing Bach in a personal way, as an instrumentalist, as a human.

[@timrishton5871]

Many thanks for the comment. Yes, the facsimile is lovely and tells us such a lot. It's published by Bärenreiter - well worth the rather stiff price! Tim

[@costamkostam9677]

Dear Sir. Do not give up. I will keep my fingers crossed so that you could finish this enormous task. Regards

[@timrishton5871]

Thanks for the encouragement! Tim

[@billraty14]

Good intro. Great insights about fingering (yes, Bach used thumbs!), phrasing (Bach's fingering in Clavierubung can't be legato in the modern sense), and pedalling (heels likely weren't forbotten). There are some technical issues (gain too high during demo playing of Ich Ruf), but just the logical description of fingering, pedalling, and ornaments are worth the price of admission. Looking forward toward the rest of the series!

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you very much! Tim

[@martinholcik1597]

Thank you for putting this together. It is insightful, educational, and brilliant! A huge inspiration to sit behind the console and start learning.

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you - I'm delighted it's of use. The whole series is nearly complete (each episode is here www.youtube.com/@timrishton5871/videos) so if there is one piece in particular that you're studying there's probably an episode on it. Good luck with the learning!

[@giovidebe]

Thank you very much for this rich and passionate introduction! I'm going to watch every video from this series!

[@timrishton5871]

Thanks for the kind comment. I'm glad you're enjoying the series (which is available as a playlist in the same order as the collection on kzbin.info/aero/PLABcWksVExXsIRFhMOewhg1hNzPDUxAsR) - and like me will be inspired by Bach's wonderful music. Tim

[@LearnCompositionOnline]

THanks for the great lecture!

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series!

[@monsieurgrigny]

The algorithms threw up a second video soon after watching my first (Vater unser im Himmelreich). Equally gripping and had to watch right to the end. There are many pearls of wisdom here. Particularly struck by the link made between Bach's fingering and what Leopold Mozart amd others would later describe as good and bad notes. Also the idea that ornaments are not melodic but rhythmic. Remarkable how so much ground is covered in depth in such a limited time. Can't wait for the next video but will try in the meantime to put some of these ideas into practice in my practice!

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you for the kind comment - I'm really glad if these films are proving useful. Most of the episodes are now finished (www.youtube.com/@timrishton5871/videos), but I'm sure that there are more issues to talk about that can be included in the last handful.

[@vaclavhrebec]

This. Is. Wonderful. Keep going. As an organ student I’m looking very much forward!!

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you so much! I hope to have some films posted in a week or two.

[@backtoschool1611]

Very insiteful, thank you.

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you - I'm glad it's of some use!

[@mimibergerac7792]

Sounds very interesting for me as an organ beginner. Subscribed.

[@timrishton5871]

Hope you enjoy learning the organ! Perhaps the "learning to learn" episode (kzbin.info/www/bejne/apO3e4aplLaYeKc) might be of use to you as well. Good luck!

[@Joseph-mv3rz]

I use novello for the chorale on the other side of the page.

[@timrishton5871]

Yes, the way the Novello edition provides the chorales is very valuable. Although the edition adds tempo markings and other features that we would not now regard as desirable, I find myself more and more in admiration of Walter Emery's editorial decisions regarding the musical text. A really great achievement.

[@monsieurgrigny]

Your remarks, Tim, on Novello are very interesting as it is the edition I inherited from my father. I love the print size and the layout!

[@timrishton5871]

@@monsieurgrigny Yes, me too. My own copy of the Novello is a treasured possession as it was a gift from my father when I started playing the organ, so it has a lot of good memories.

[@paulmeers4974]

See Concordia's 1984 edition, with text, translations, background and a contemporary 18th-C 4 voice setting of each choral@@timrishton5871

[@FranzRobert-fh1ex]

Do you give private online lessons and how much do you charge?

[@timrishton5871]

Many thanks for the query. Do please contact me privately on www.rishton.info/teach.html and we can have a chat. Tim

[@marcelobrunorodrigues7630]

Hello, Sir. Where can I get the organ stop list, please? Greetings from Brazil!

[@timrishton5871]

Thanks for your interest. The link to the stop list is on the 5th paragraph of the information (just click "show more")

[@OleJacobsen]

So where are the 46 films??

[@timrishton5871]

Yes, I'm sorry. The student with whom I am discussing the pieces has taken maternity leave, so things are a bit slow getting going. Perhaps I will discuss a few with myself in the meantime.

[@timrishton5871]

At last they're all finished - hope you enjoy them! Tim