Clavier-Übung III

   Johann Sebastian Bach’s 1739 publication of his own selected organ works. The collection begins with a massive five-voiced Praeludium in E-flat major and ends with the "St. Anne" Fugue, also for five voices in the same key. In between are two settings of the three-section Lutheran Kyrie chorale (six movements in all), three of the Gloria Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, and two each of the "catechism chorales": Dies sind die heilgen zehen {}Gebot, Wir glauben all an einen Gott, Vater unser in Himmelreich, {}Christ unser Herr, Aus tiefer Not, and Jesus Christus unser Heiland. Each pair has one setting for manuals only, one with obbligato pedal. The settings exhibit all manners of treating the chorale melodies: cantus firmus in all registers, fugal treatments, and all varieties of counterpoint. Four "duetti" (small pieces for two voices) follow before the concluding fugue.