Roth: Sei gegrüsset Jesu gütig
Chorale Prelude for Organ with Chorale for Choir SATB & Optional Child
This item is made to order and typically ships within 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: Alec Roth (1948-)
- Text by: Christian Keimann (1607-1662)
- Format: Full Score
- Instrumentation: Organ, SATB Choir, Children's Choir
- Work: Sei gegrüsset Jesu gütig (Score) (Chorale Prelude for Organ with Chorale for Choir SATB and Optional Children's Choir)
- Work Languages: English, German
- ISMN:
- Size: 12.6 x 11.8 inches
- Pages: 8
Description
The organ preludeSei gegrüsset Jesu gütig was commissioned by the Orgelbüchlein Project, and sponsored by the Oundle Festival with funds provided by Rogers Covey-Crump. The first performance was given by William Whitehead at St Lawrence Church, Towcester, 4 July 2018.
The SATB arrangement of the chorale Sei gegrüsset Jesu gütig was made for Ex Cathedra. It was first performed (preceded by the organ prelude played by Alexander Mason) by the Ex Cathedra choir, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, with the "Soprano in Ripieno" part sung by the children of the Ex Cathedra Academy of Vocal Music, as an introduction to the Good Friday performance of Bach's Matthew Passion, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 19 April 2019.
I was delighted and honoured when invited to contribute to the "Orgelbüchlein Project", the ambitious undertaking to complete Bach's work, curated by William Whitehead. I was even more delighted to be allocated such a lovely tune, which was new to me. Bach's own fascination with the melody is evident in his Chorale Partita for organ (BWV 768).
I composed the prelude during my stay in Leipzig in January-March 2017, following a visit to meet recently-discovered cousins in the small village of Hollenbach (Baden-Württemberg). My German grandparents were born there, and were economic migrants to England in the 1880s. Since I was unaware of any musical connections in either the German or Irish sides of my family, it was a great joy to find that my cousin Johanna was a musician, and had recently retired after 67 years as organist at the village church. My organ prelude is dedicated to her.
For some reason (perhaps the repeated tread of the opening pedal notes), as I was working on the prelude, the opening of J. S. Bach's Matthew Passion kept coming to mind. So in 2018, when Jeffrey Skidmore asked me to compose a short introduction to Bach's work, I immediately thought of Sei gegrusset. However, rather than a motet, I decided on a simple treatment of the chorale, preceded by my organ prelude. This enabled me to feature the "Soprano in ripieno" choir, which only appears twice in Bach's score, thus giving the members of this choir a little more to do. The Soprano in ripieno part was sung by the children of the Ex Cathedra Academy, first in English, then joined by the adult choir in German. This version, combining organ prelude and chorale, has since opened all Ex Cathedra's performances of the Matthew Passion. The Prelude and Chorale may, of course be performed separately.
Alec Roth
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Roth: Sei gegrüsset Jesu gütig
