chorale prelude
An organ composition based on a hymn tune, serving as a liturgical introduction to congregational singing
In Depth
The chorale prelude presents a chorale melody in an elaborated setting, with contrapuntal voices woven around the tune. J.S. Bach composed over 160 chorale preludes, employing every possible technique: ornamented melody, canon, ritornello, and fantasia treatments. The form originated in the 17th century as a practical way to remind the congregation of the hymn tune before they sang it. It became one of the most important genres of Baroque organ music and continues to be composed today.
Bach's Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book) was planned as a collection of 164 chorale preludes covering the entire church year, but he completed only 46.