Brahms Chorale Prelude "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen" Opus122#8

Scholars do not come into terms regarding when this chorale prelude was written. Nobody really knows if it is an early work or rather a late one. The issue is far from being solved.
It seems the chorale tune is based on a rhenish folksong, which appeared in 1599 in the "Alte Katholische Kirchengesang". What we know for sure is that the composer was familiar to such a song, for the "Singverein" used to include Praetorius 1609 version in some of its concerts, by the time Brahms was living in Wien.
Regarding the use (or not) of the pedalboard, the conclusion is that Johannes could have played some of the bass notes, particularly the tonic half-notes that show up at cadential points, on the pedal. (Ap. OWEN, B., "The Organ Music of Johannes Brahms", p. 104, ed. Oxford University Press 2007).
Worldwide cherished, this lovely homophonic composition is known as the most happily inspired and original of Brahms's organ chorale settings. (Ap. JORDAHL, R. A., in "A Study of the Use of the Chorale in the Works of Mendelssohn, Brahms and Reger". Ph. D. dissertation - University of Rochester, 1965, p. 381).
It is clear that the Master meant a registration differing basically in colour, rather than in dynamics.. As a matter of fact, that is the conclusion to which one arrives based on two linked facts: First, he does indicate changing of manual along the staves, and: Second, there is but one, and no more than one, dynamic mark, at the very beginning of the chorale: piano dolce.
Unlike "Herzliebster Jesu" (#2 actually # 3 in the original manuscript), there is no crescendo indication whatsoever.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Romantic
• Organ
• Music
• Brahms
• Chorale
• Es
• ist
• ein
• Ros'
• entsprungen
• Opus
• 122
• #3
• Gilberto
• Guarino

[jimbo5009]

Very fine performance . Am working on this myself & much enjoyed your choice of stops , giving the piece an air of mystery .

[GilbertoGuarino]

@jimbo5009 Tkx! Would you please upload your rendition? I am sure we would very much appreciate it..

[bracrowe]

really beautiful and very musical phrasing - and nice video - I wondered where you are? I like the sound

[GilbertoGuarino]

@bracrowe I am playing at home. The audio goes straight into a Mac. Thank you for your comment.

[garfreed]

yes, it's beautiful

[GilbertoGuarino]

@garfreed Thank you too. 

[GilbertoGuarino]

@ReneArtoisJR You are most welcome! Enjoy your dearest recollections. Music can really connect us to our innermost feelings. An that is very good.

[ReneArtoisJR]

I was fifteen the first Christmas we were here in North America, I had been raised in Norway. Our Church Organist had been stricken and I was asked to take the service Christmas Eve and on the spot had to create a program . I started with this piece and ended with O Ere A Rosen Sprungen. It was the only time I can remember that my Dad was publicly proud of me. I'd forgotten that moment until I heard you play. . . many thanks

Kjel

[GilbertoGuarino]

Thank you very much for your comment ("Nice playing on a beautiful little prelude").

It is beuatiful. is it not?