Six Advent and Christmas Chorale Preludes from J.S. Bach's 'Das Orgelbüchlein' | Grace Church NYC

Six Advent and Christmas Chorale Preludes from J.S. Bach's Das Orgel-Büchlein

0:00 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Savior of the nations, come), BWV 599
1:25 Gott, durch deine Güte (God, through your goodness), BWV 600
2:53 Herr Christa, der ein’ge Gottessohn (Lord Christ, the only Son of God), BWV 601
4:50 Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (Praise be to You, Jesus Christ), BWV 604
6:40 Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (From Heaven Above to Earth I Come), BWV 606
7:35 Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar (From heaven came the angel choir), BWV 607

These six pieces were selected from J.S. Bach's 'Das Orgel-Büchlein, a collection of 46 chorale preludes for organ, written primarily in the period between 1708 and 1717 when Bach served as organist to the court in Weimar. These pieces, miniature in length yet potent in their density of compositional style and technique, span several forms, from the decorative chorale tune heard in Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (4:50), to the canon heard between the soprano and pedal bass in Gott, durch deine Güte (1:25), to French Overture and fantasia-like passages in Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (0:00) and Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (6:40). In a crystal clear instance of tone-painting, one can almost hear the angel's wings fluttering through the flowing scales in Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar (7:35). Felt in these chorale preludes, above all, is a sense of joy and celebration reflecting Bach's reverence and love for the Lutheran chorale tune.

Performed live by Eddie Zheng on November 15th, 2022 at Grace Church in New York City as part of an all-Bach program.

Grace Church Organ Specifications:
Taylor & Boody Organbuilders, Inc.
Staunton, Va. – Opus 65 (2013)
Mechanical key action
Electric solenoid stop action
4 manuals, 76 stops, 87 ranks

Eddie Zheng, a native of New York City, is a master's degree student of Paul Jacobs at the Juilliard School. With a focus on lyrical phrasing and articulate touch combined with thoughtful programming and spoken notes, Eddie has performed in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Montreal, and Beijing, where he has helped new audiences in China discover the organ.

Eddie’s performances at the 2018 Schweitzer Competition and the 2019 Quimby Competition led to first place awards and his engagement as Artist-in-Residence at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church, New York. He was recently appointed as Organ Associate at First Presbyterian Church Greenwich in Connecticut, where he encourages wider musical appreciation through service playing and youth involvement.

Having spent summers in the Catskills, Eddie created the ‘Organ Music in the Catskills’ series in 2021, performing recitals to enthusiastic local audiences. When not playing organ, Eddie loves motorcycles, symphonies, and espresso.

For more information visit https://www.eddiezheng.com/

Видео Six Advent and Christmas Chorale Preludes from J.S. Bach's 'Das Orgelbüchlein' | Grace Church NYC канала Eddie Zheng, Organist