Gilberto Guarino plays Bach: "Das Orgelbüchlein" - "Ich ruf zu dir, Her Jesu Christ" BWV 639.
Temperament: Werckmeister III
Though not properly a "trio", BWV 639 is the only melody chorale written in three voices in the "Orgelbüchlein".
According to Peter Williams (“The Organ Music of J. S. Bach”, Cambridge, Second Edition, p. 308), the slurs (l.h.) may well point to a “sostenuto”. According to John Butt (1990, “Bach Interpretation – Articulation Marks in Primary Sources of J. S. Bach”), “These slurs for organ probably indicate a varied or ‘articulated’ legato in the ‘French’ manner.” The same author writes: “Clearly, most slurs in Bach’s music indicate that the notes are to be grouped in some way. However, the exact function of the slur can only be conjectured from its context.”
Such a chorale prelude is a real “De Profundis Clamo ad Te” for organ. It combines resignation, faith and endurance in a melting pot of sublime harmonies and truly bachian beauty.
