John Scott, Organist and Director of Music at Saint Thomas Church, performed Bach’s Eighteen Leipzig Chorales BWV 651-658. Also known as the Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes, these chorale preludes for organ were prepared by J.S. Bach in Leipzig during his final decade (1740–1750) from earlier works composed in Weimar, where he was court organist. The works form an encyclopedic collection of large-scale chorale preludes in a variety of styles harking back to the previous century, which Bach gradually perfected during his career. Together with the Orgelbüchlein, the Schübler Chorales and the third book of the Clavier-übung, they represent the summit of Bach’s sacred music for solo organ.
Listen to a webcast of this recital.
Read a review by The New York Times.
