Eighteen Chorale Preludes No.1  BWV651 "Komm, heiliger Geist"

This piece is the largest one among Eighteen Chorale Preludes. Choral melody and three other parts with arpeggio figures have exquisite balance.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for String Quartet

BWV651
62(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Eighteen Chorale Preludes No. 2  BWV652 "Komm, heiliger Geist"

Full of pastoral and comfortable atmosphere.  But the last "Alleluia" part is glorious and uplifting.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for 2 Violins, Viola & Cello  4 Cellos

BWV652
86(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Eighteen Chorale Preludes No.3  BWV653 "An Wasserflussen Babylon"

There are two first drafts, BWV 653b and 653a, and this BWV 653 is the final version.  It is one of the most beautiful piece of this suite.  Using demure patterns of music notes, this music creates an agreeable sensation.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.)  for String Quartet

BWV653
60(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Eighteen Chorale Preludes No.4  BWV654  "Schmucke dich, o libe Seele"

When an organ-concert was held in Thomas Church, Leipzig, in 1840, this music was critically acclaimed  by Robert Schumann.  He quoted Mendelssohn's words, "if life had robbed me of all hope and faith, one chorale; BWV654 would restore them again."

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.)  for String Quartet

BWV654
54(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Eighteen Chorale Preludes No.5  BWV655 "Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend"

This music might sound like Inventions by J. S. Bach.  It is filled with geometrical beauty.  The choral melody is played only at the last part, however, the motifs in the former part are variations of the choral.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for 2 Violins & Cello  2 Violins & Viola

BWV655
80(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Eighteen Chorale Preludes No.6  BWV656 "O Lamm Gottes unschuldig"

A great maestoso with dramatic expressions.  It is a kind of variation consisted of three verses.  The choral melody is in the soprano part at the first verse, the alto part at the second, and in the bass part at the third.  It might be a symbol for the Trinity.　

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for Violin, 2 Viola & Cello

BWV656
1. Versus manualiter:      62(h/m) 2. Versus manualiter:     62(h/m) 3. Versus: 140(q/m)     takt-3/2: 68(h/m)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

This music is wrapped up in peaceful and rusticbe atmosphere.  A purified elaboration.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for Violin, 2 Violas & Cello

BWV657
66(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

The choral lyrics mean peaceful belief.  Elaborately-designed piece with beautiful movements like streaming water.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for Violin, Viola & 2 Cellos

BWV658
52(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Continuous eighth notes in bass part give us a feeling of slowly walking.  Beautiful ornamental melodies are played on the bass movements.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for Violin, 2 Violas & Cello

BWV659
58(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Two bass parts move constantly through this music.  Choral part is performed by Viola in this arrangement.  Three parts interact each other maintaining independence.  Solemn and energetic.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for Viola & 2 Cellos  3 Cellos

BWV660
54(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Calm and Beautiful combination of energetic fugue in three voices and choral melody.  In this arrangement, the choral melody originally written for pedal keyboard is performed by Violoncello.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for String Quartet

BWV661
66(half note/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Calm and emotional.  Beautiful small piece which gives us a sense of well-being.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for String Quartet

BWV662 Adagio
34(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Stately and joyful polyphony with a galant theme.  Technically not so difficult, but skill in ensemble is required.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for String Quartet

BWV663
60(half note/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Tightly interacted communication with a lilting theme.  Choral melody appears in only several bars at the end part.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for Violin, Viola & Cello

BWV664
76(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Massive and noble.  Very impressive chromatic scale.  The chromatic scale down / up might correspond to "das bittre Leiden" / "aus der Hollenpein".   Beautiful  but requires advanced techniques in playing. 

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for Violin, 2 Violas & Cello

BWV665
58(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

It is relatively easy to play among Eighteen Chorale Preludes.  All players could enjoy polyphony and singing choral melody.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for Violin, Viola & 2 Cellos

BWV666
62(dotted crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

Small piece with lilting and enjoyable sixteenth note run. 

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for String Quartet

BWV667
58(dotted crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz:

This music is known for being polished when Bach was blind in his later years. 　Calm and peaceful atmosphere.  A little bit different feeling compared with the other 17 pieces.

liink to ACORDO SHEET MUSIC (whole scores can be browsed.) for String Quartet

BWV668
72(crotchet/minute)	440Hz:  442Hz:  444Hz: