Secrets of Organ Playing Contest--Week 40--In Dir ist Freude by J.S. Bach (BWV 615)

This is my submission for the Secrets of Organ Playing contest for Week 40--the tried and true In Dir ist Freude by JS Bach from the great collection called the Orgelbuchlein. This Chorale Prelude is a New Year's prelude and a bit early, I know, but it is such an amazing and joyful piece. It also fit fairly well with the hymns that were chosen for church this week, so I am using it for the postlude.

Like many of the Orgelbuchlein chorale preludes, the main tune is specified in the "soprano" range of the instrument while figurations occur in the lower parts. The constant moving eighth notes help to create the experience of joy, but it is the recurring ostinato-like pattern heard in the pedals that seem to produce the dance-like quality of the music. The overarching form of the piece is AABB, following the form of the original hymn. However the final B section of the piece usually catches both the performer and listener by surprise as it feels as though Bach is winding up the piece at the end of the first B section. The return of B, while unexpected, is satisfying to say the least.

I learned the piece for a funeral about four years ago and used it as part of the certification program for the Colleague of the American Guild of Organists in 2018.