Musical contribution - January 2015

Chorale prelude "Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier" (M.Brosig 1815-1887).

Allow me first to wish you a good, healthy and musical 2015 on behalf of myself, the management and the staff here at Johannus Orgelbouw. We hope to cross paths every month in the new year via the musical contribution.

This month’s musical contribution is a chorale prelude from the German Romantics. The last time we offered a piece by Moritz Brosig was in 2010. A brief summary of his career is provided below.

Brosig studied in Breslau (a town in Poland from 1945 on). The cathedral organist in this city for over 30 years, he also taught at the Academic Institute. In 1879, he became a professor at the Royal University. 

The prelude to this world-famous chorale can be used during a service, before the congregation, or as a concert piece. The melody is a clear presence in every line, with a solo stop. In view of the mild character of the leading voices, I opted for a principal 8 as cantus firmus. It also sounds fantastic with a reed as the leading voice, for instance.

Musical regards,

André van Vliet