Bach-Busoni - Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645

[andhow04]

another fancy video of this very popular piece. bach himself arranged it for solo organ from a cantata movement (bwv 140) where it was the central movement. the tune is still sung regularly in lutheran and other churches, and dates from about 1600.

bach composed an orginal two-part counterpoint - bass line and obbligato - that is pierced from time to time by the tune. it is an unforgettable, complementary counterpoint.

busoni's arrangement is difficult to voice as the octaves need their own sound, the obbligato needs to be a separate touch, and the tune still needs to ring out above.

in this video filmed by Hillfire films we gave the organ pipes a life of their own; you will see how they can drop and rise even though in real life they are fixed on the wall. it's an illustration of the two parts - obbligato and bass, and the tune.

in nun komm, bwv 645, filmed right after this, the idea was to illustrate the mysterious connection between performer and isntrument by having the interludes between solos evoking the empty organ console.

hope you enjoy. best watched on full screen !

[visitor]

Excluding playing, tough piece , thanks for adding it to the board