“Music, to Bach, was the apparatus of worship, and the line of demarcation between the sacred and secular forms was for him not decisively drawn. In the history of his art he is the link between the old and the new, not exclusively a reformer, the originator of new forms, but rather ‘a spectator of all musical time and existence,’ attracted by every utterance that rang true.”

That quote from Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1955 edition) is a succinct summation of the art of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time.

Today we focus on the composer’s organ music – the richest treasure of compositions for that instrument in the history of music. Bach wrote more than 300 solo pieces for organ.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565: Very likely the most popular of Bach’s organ pieces, this music probably dates from his early 20’s, when he was experimenting with new ways of exploring established forms. As Michel Chapuis has written, “The early works fascinate us because of the impetuous power of their themes, the bold flourishes, the manner which often extends to sheer high spirits, with which the virtuoso performer was able to display his brilliance by way of his instrument.”

Chorale Prelude: Schmucke dich, O liebe Seele, BWV 654: The term chorale-prelude is defined as “a composition for organ based on a German Protestant chorale melody and intended to serve as an introduction to the singing of the chorale.” Bach’s invention in surrounding and engulfing basic chorale melodies into original solo instrumental pieces took the form to a new height. It’s said that the congregation of his church sometimes was baffled – and annoyed – in their attempt to find the basic tune in Bach’s elaborate and often complex creations!

You may view the hymn (with an English version of its text) on which Bach set Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness) in the Saint James Cathedral hymnal; it’s number #339.

Bach wrote a set of eighteen chorale-preludes between 1708 and 1717, and between 1747 and 1749 composed more elaborate versions on the same hymn tunes. Today we hear the second setting of Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele.

The expansive, extended Toccata in F, BWV 540, dates from Bach’s years in Weimar (1708-1717), a period in which he produced many of his brilliant organ pieces.

The designation BWV following the listing of a Bach work stands for Bach Werke Verzeichnis (Bach Works Catalogue, in effect), the listing compiled by one Wolfgang Schmieder. Sometimes the letter S is used instead, standing for the compiler. The numerical listings, by the way, are not chronological, but rather by items within each category of works (organ pieces, cantatas, etc.). BWV 1 starts with the cantatas; the organ pieces begin with BWV 525.