J. S. Bach, ‘Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ’: Analysis

In the third installment of this four-part series, composer Samuel Andreyev continues his analysis of the chorales of Bach, this time focusing on Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 261.
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[@SEJRVW]

Samuel, I'm really glad you discuss the text as part of your analysis. I can remember studying Bach chorales in college and they almost never included the text. It made it very clinical and put these beautiful pieces in a vacuum for me. You show how integral the words are to Bach's setting of the chorale tunes, to the point where they affect the direction of the harmony! Thanks for this! Really enjoying your videos, man!

[@samuel_andreyev]

Thank you for your kind words

[@samuel_andreyev]

It makes you wonder, by the way, what the motivation might be in never discussing the texts: are they embarassed by them? Are they hiding them?

[@zacharydavies9083]

Fascinating harmony!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci for doing these. It's out of my pay grade for now, but I'm trying to catch up.

[@bigprovola]

Cantus firmus is the most beautiful musical technique. To take a simple, slow melody from another age and complexify it with new voices is the mission statement of polyphony. It exfoliates the intrinsic harmony of each note and bolsters the text delivery.

[@ili626]

This is so great. Thank you. Been subscribed for while now - highly recommended

[@nathaniellevy7956]

I'd be happy to have more drawn out audio-based sections! For example, when discussing the various functions right at the end, I'd be more than happy to hear the section played multiple times to draw out the fascinating point you're making

[@Euthalia77]

I love these.

[@Tylervrooman]

I want to do some of my own harmonies for these hymns. Thanks for the great infotainment!

[@brianbuch1]

Thank you.

[@dr7246]

Think of just how much one could learn about composing if all one had access to, initially, were the chorales and WTC 1 & 2. Brahms was correct “study Bach. There you will find everything”. That said, doing a series, with a focus on text setting, of some of the Monteverdi madrigals would make for a great counterpart to this series. Subscribed, btw

[@ev29xyro]

Love it

[@mattia.a_p]

Dein Deutsch klingt immer besser ;)

[@BetonBrutContemporary]

Please do the "Herzlich thut mich verlangen", which has the most variations in the book! :D Love your take on Bach's chorales❤

[@samuel_andreyev]

Ideally, I’d cover all of them - but at this rate, it would take 7 years!

[@BetonBrutContemporary]

@@samuel_andreyev Cannot wait XD

[@alexanderfiskefosse7993]

Seven years well spent I'd say

[@Pretzels722]

I practiced piano sightreading for years using just the bach chorales. Must’ve gone through the whole collection 6 times. Never tired of it.
I remember going through chorales from other composers of a similar era; it was astonishing how much more potent bach’s works were. It really puts into perspective his genius.
Are there any choral composers that can compare?

[@user-qm1xk9xk2w]

no, but Simon Sechter had 5000 fugues

[@gcummings88]

The fact that you don't have a million subscribers testifies to the fact that the price of high technolgy is good art.

[@samuel_andreyev]

Are you subscribed?

[@gcummings88]

@@samuel_andreyev absolutely

[@12Trappor]

I really enjoyed the analysis. However, I'd wish you would return to your previous mic settings, there is a lot more reverb in this video.

[@samuel_andreyev]

Production issue that affected this episode. We will return to our usual service next week.

[@royaebrahim2449]

❤❤❤

[@simonsmatthew]

Helpful and interesting interpretation of this chorale. It would be helpful if you could keep the score up more when talking. It makes it easier to follow what you are saying.

[@samuel_andreyev]

I’ll try to improve that. Thanks for the feedback.

[@ghuinink]

czcams.com/video/sAF6MAsAhGI/video.html. the sung version

[@melissaraven3164]

thanks

[@mlowry]

I believe you accidentally recorded the audio using the wrong microphone - perhaps the one built into the computer instead of the freestanding one.

[@samuel_andreyev]

Yes - that is what happened. Because my son was born two days later, there was no time to reshoot.

[@opabinnier]

Ungulates undergoing overseas incarceration.