Liisa Aaltola - J.s. Bach: Clavier Übung, Part III (CD)

Release Date: 01/01/21

Clavier Übung means keyboard practice, which is modestly said of masterfully finished music. The title was quoted by Bac

Clavier Übung means keyboard practice, which is modestly said of masterfully finished music. The title was quoted by Bach from Johann Kuhnau, who had previously worked as the cantor of Tuomas in Leipzig. Kuhnau published a collection of seven dance series in 1689 under the name Neue Clavier-Übung.Bach's Clavier Übung III was published in 1739, when Leipzig celebrated the 200th anniversary of the final realization of the Lutheran Reformation. Indeed, the streams underlying the 12 organ choruses of this record are based on the six main points of Luther’s Catechism: the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Ripple, and the Supper. There are two versions of each chorale; wider for one or two keyboards and pedals, and shorter for keyboards only. Just like Luther’s catechism, there are two versions; big and small.Clavier Übung III is not only a catechism dressed in a musical form, but also a praise of the Holy Trinity. Chapter three permeates the entire form of the collection. Its first corals are 2 x 3 Kyrie and 3 Gloria corals. There are 6 x 2 or 12 catechism chorales. The work was sold - of course - for three thalers.