Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme - Johann Gottfried Walther

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Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme directly translated means "Awake, the voice is calling us" and is a very popular hymn tune used as the basis for many organ compositions. You will often hear this tune during the Advent period—the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Probably the most popular organ setting of the Wachet auf is the JS Bach BWV 645. It's arranged as a trio with the tune in the tenor and a very catchy obligato accompaniment in the right hand. The pedals carry the moving bass line.

Johann Gottfried Walther was a German composer during the Baroque period, but was overshadowed by the great Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote quite a number of organ compositions which aren't heard too often in mainstream organ repertoire but I believe this Wachet auf is a little popular during this season. Probably his most well-known work amongst organists is the Concerto in B minor (after Meck). The three movement concerto (Allegro-Adagio-Allegro) is a great inclusion in an organ recital. I haven't played this myself, yet, but I plan to do so soon.

I hope you enjoyed this live postlude (although not note-perfect!).

Yours truly,
@contrabourdon

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