Bach and before – Buxtehude, Böhm, and Bruhns

Having spent seven years in Bremen, Germany, studying with Prof. Harald Vogel and playing historic organs by Arp Schnitger, Gottfried Silbermann,  and others, Rhonda has a particular affinity for the repertoire of Northern Germany from the era which ended at Bach’s death.  As a young boy, Bach completed a traditional organ apprenticeship with Böhm in Lüneborg, where he learned not only the works of his teacher, but also the works of the important North German organ composers of his day, including Bruhns.  Later, as a young organist, Bach traveled on foot to hear Buxtehude play the organ in Lübeck, and was so inspired by what he heard while there, that he returned to his position in Arnstadt with radical new ideas.  This program will explore masterpieces of Germany’s 17^th century, centered around Bach and the composers who influenced him.  (This program works best on a mechanical action instrument, though with modifications, could be performed on other instruments as well.)

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Works to be performed on the “B⁴” program include:

Böhm, Praeludium in C Major
Variations on Auf meinen lieben Gott

Bach, Jesu Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 665 & 666, from the Leipzig Chorales
Fugue in c minor on a theme from Legrenzi, BWV 574

Buxtehude, Toccata in F Major
Choral Fantasy on Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

Bach, Concerto in a minor after Vivaldi, BWV 593
Trio on Wir Christenleut habn jetzund Freud

Bruhns, Praeludium in E minor

Program offered in fall 2012.