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Track(s) taken from CDA67964

Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BuxWV188

composer
Chorale Fantasia

Christopher Herrick (organ)
Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available
CD-Quality:
Studio Master:
CD-Quality:
Studio Master:
Recording details: February 2012
Mariager Klosterkirke, Denmark
Produced by Paul Spicer
Engineered by Simon Eadon
Release date: December 2012
Total duration: 8 minutes 12 seconds

Cover artwork: Church Interior. Hendrik Cornelisz van Vliet (c1611-1675)
Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent, Belgium / © Lukas - Art in Flanders VZW / Bridgeman Images
 

Reviews

‘A simply splendid album. The organ … is a delight to the ears, its manifest charms precisely mapped out in detailed registrations provided in the excellent booklet … above all, of course, is Herrick's immensely enjoyable playing … all in all a delight to the ears which brings a smile to the face and a lift to the soul’ (Gramophone)

‘Hugely successful … Herrick's performance of the Praeludium … is packed with personality and character … the freedom with which Herrick approaches this piece and the extent to which is it possible to hear the performer's voice, as well as that of the composer, projected in this performance, cannot be described as anything other than exhilarating … Herrick's playing is characteristically excellent throughout. His performances of the free works are, without exception, rhetorically engaging and lively, while the chorale melodies sing beautifully, such is his sensitive approach to musical line … very highly recommended’ (International Record Review)

‘Herrick's generously-timed programme consists of an entertaining mix of items, mainly Praeludia or Chorale Preludes. Slower, ruminative pieces alternate with boisterous, dramatic works in a recital that manages to be both elegant and fulgurous, profound and sensuous. Works generally run to less than four minutes each, but short does not equate with inconsequential in Buxtehude's music: even the merest pieces speak volumes about the composer's imagination, virtuosity and originality … this set ought to be the primary destination for collectors’ (MusicWeb International)
Running to more than 150 bars, the Chorale Fantasia on the Christmas melody ‘Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ’, BuxWV188, is among the longest and most elaborate of Buxtehude’s chorale settings. The first section (bars 1–37) makes much of the repeated notes with which the melody begins (‘Ge-lo-bet’) and although the right hand (playing on the Rückpositiv) features these notes, for the most part it contributes a joyful descant above the left hand (Oberwerk) and pedals. The second section (bars 38–67, from 1'47'') is an extemporization on the second line of the melody, and the third section (bars 68–98, from 3'24'') is based upon the third line, which initially appears in the lowest voices in combination with rhythmical material that seems to hark back to the first line. In bars 99–138 (from 5'03''), the fourth line is given a jig-like treatment which makes a feature of the contrasting sonorities of Oberwerk and Rückpositiv; and there is a brilliant coda.

from notes by Relf Clark © 2012

Avec ses cent cinquante et quelques mesures, la Fantaisie-choral sur la mélodie de Noël «Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ», BuxWV188, figure parmi les chorals les plus longs et les plus complexes de Buxtehude. La première section (mesures 1–37) fait grand cas des notes répétées inaugurant la mélodie («Ge-lo-bet») et, tout en les exécutant (sur le Rückpositiv), la main droite joue presque constamment un joyeux déchant par-dessus la main gauche (Oberwerk) et le pédalier. La deuxième section (mesures 38–67, à partir de 1'47'') improvise sur la deuxième ligne de la mélodie tandis que la troisième (mesures 68–98, à partir de 3'24'') repose sur la troisième ligne, laquelle apparaît d’abord aux voix les plus graves, combinée à un matériau rythmique semblant renvoyer à la première ligne. Aux mesures 99–138 (à partir de 5'03''), la quatrième ligne est traitée à la gigue, ce qui met en valeur les sonorités contrastées de l’Oberwerk et du Rückpositiv; la coda est brillante.

extrait des notes rédigées par Relf Clark © 2012
Français: Hypérion

Die Choralfantasie über die Weihnachtsmelodie „Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ“, BuxWV188, ist mit über 150 Takten eine der längsten und ausgeschmücktesten Choralvertonungen Buxtehudes. Der erste Abschnitt (Takt 1–37) kostet die Tonrepetitionen aus, mit der die Melodie beginnt („Ge-lo-bet“) und obwohl diese Noten in der rechten Hand (die das Rückpositiv spielt) vorkommen, trägt sie im Wesentlichen einen fröhlichen Diskant über der linken Hand (Oberwerk) und dem Pedal bei. Der zweite Abschnitt (Takt 38–67, ab 1'47'') ist eine Improvisation über die zweite Melodielinie und der dritte Abschnitt (Takt 68–98, ab 3'24'') bezieht sich auf die dritte Linie, die zunächst in den tiefsten Stimmen mit rhythmischem Material erklingt, das sich wiederum auf die erste Linie zu beziehen scheint. Von Takt 99 bis 138 (ab 5'03'') wird die vierte Linie gigueartig behandelt, wobei die unterschiedlichen Klangspektren des Oberwerks und des Rückpositivs hervorgehoben werden; schließlich erklingt eine brillante Coda.

aus dem Begleittext von Relf Clark © 2012
Deutsch: Viola Scheffel

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