Baroque · 1748
Wachet auf — Chorale Prelude
J. S. BachBWV 645
- Key
- Eb
- Time
- C
- Tempo
- ♩=80
- AO focus
- AO3
Incipit
Form
Chorale prelude — Bach's organ arrangement of the central tenor aria from Cantata BWV 140. One of the six 'Schübler' chorale preludes (published by Schübler as Bach's last organ collection).
Teaching points
- Cantus firmus — the chorale tune of 'Wachet auf' is stated in the tenor (middle voice)
- Pedal walking-bass + RH ornate countermelody — three-layer texture for organist's hands and feet
- AO3: Bach's transcription of his own work — discuss the cantata aria vs the chorale prelude. What changes?
- Practical: classic Advent organ piece
Full score ↓Public domain
Score: IMSLP (Bach-Gesellschaft + Peters editions, all public domain).