Aus tiefer Not schrei' ich zu dir BWV 686 • J.S. Bach
a 6 pro organo pleno con Pedale doppio
(Clavier-Übung III)
Ruben Valenzuela, Director of Music & Organist
Organ: Fritts & Richards Op 5
Bach's setting of Aus tiefer Not' (Out of the deep) BWV 686 is remarkable and unique in Bach's total output. It is based on Martin Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 130 (De Profundis) of 1524. Bach's contrapuntal mastery is on full display as he weaves together 6 independent parts, 4 in the hands and two in the pedal, in the style of the great sixteenth-century polyphonists. The setting's ever changing texture is due to Bach's invention (inventio), through exploring the diverse contrapuntal possibilities offered by the nature of the Phrygian chorale. This, along with the 6-part Ricercar from the Musical Offering BWV 1079, constitutes a rare example of Bach writing in 6 independent parts. The German tradition of writing for double pedal (doppio pedale) can be traced back to the 16th century with Arnolt Schlick, and then into the 17th century with Samuel Scheidt, followed by Buxtehude, Reincken, Bruhns, Tunder, and others. Bach's own use of double pedal expresses the continuation and greater expansion of this tradition.
(IN MEMORIAM • For the 500,000 souls that have thus perished due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
