Bach composed the Orgel-Buchlein while working as court organist in Weimar from 1713 to 1717. He had planned 164 chorale preludes and noted all their titles but was finally to complete only forty-five of them; they are arranged according to the ecclesiastical year. The pedal line is given an independent role in all of these works and is thus not intended as an accompaniment. The type of chorale prelude that Bach uses in this volume is unique: not only are there no introductions or interludes, no pre-imitations as was the case with Buxtehude and Pachelbel, but also the chorale melody begins immediately and almost always in the upper voice. Every prelude contains one or more motifs, while canonic imitation is used in eight of them; the melody is also richly ornamented in a number of the chorales. Most of these works originated in Weimar, at a time when Bach was able to devote himself completely to composing for the organ. We find the fundamental principle that is linked to almost all of Bach's works in the preface to the Orgel-Buchlein in the words Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone the glory): it was Bach's firm belief that music mirrors the perfection of God's creation. It is also important to note that Bach used his music largely for pedagogical and didactic purposes: the Orgel-Buchlein is an ideal example of this, a combination of healthy ambition and divine mastery. This volume has not been called Bach's musical dictionary and the bible of organ literature for no reason.
Yarno Missiaen (Veurne BE, 2005) is one of the biggest emerging musicians of his generation. As an active concert organist he masters a diverse repertoire that ranges from Buxtehude to Messiaen. He is known for his subtle and unique interpretations. Missiaen has already a busy concert agenda, including concerts in Knokke, Ghent, Tilburg, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Amsterdam and London. He studied piano and organ at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven (BE) with Els Swinnen and Bart Jacobs and is currently continuing his studies at the Conservatory in Tilburg (NL) with Ruud Huijbregts (organ).
