371 Harmonized Chorales and 69 Chorale Melodies with Figured Bass [Paperback]

Albert Riemenschneider (Editor), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1986

The great Baroque master composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) wrote music for every combination of instruments and voices. His simplest and purest work are four-part chorale compositions and settings, so perfectly constructed that they evoke meditative spirituality. "Figured bass" was a Baroque system of notating harmony. In addition 371 chorales, this collection includes 69 melodies with figured bass. This classic Schirmer edition, edited by Albert Riemenschneider, has sold over 1,000,000 copies since its release in the early 20th century. Primarily for keyboard, the chorales can also be played by other instruments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: G. Schirmer, Inc. (November 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793525748
• ISBN-13: 978-0793525744
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Historical Period > Baroque
  • #3 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Religious & Church Music
  • #5 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Bach

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So...many...chorales..., April 19, 2002

By 

T. Murphy (San Jose, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 371 Harmonized Chorales and 69 Chorale Melodies with Figured Bass (Paperback)

This is a nice edition to have. Playing two Bach chorales every morning is kind of like doing some jumping jacks and eating a spoonful of codliver oil...which is to say, good for you. After playing the first 120 you can expect some chorale fatigue to set in, but all the while you'll be absorbing good voice-leading and voice-doubling technique as though by osmosis. What's more, Bach will still surprise you- there are chords so jarring and dissonant that their sudden, logical resolution is like watching a rabbit being pulled out of a hat.

On the downside, the notes are small (this edition really packs 'em in) and it can be easy to get lost on the page. No texts are provided, either, aside from the opening words, so you have to accept on faith that some of the more contorted harmonizations are justified by the text. It's still nice to have, though, and looks nice and musicological sitting on the piano.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You need this..., September 14, 2004

By 

Joel Runyan (Alexandria, KY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 371 Harmonized Chorales and 69 Chorale Melodies with Figured Bass (Paperback)

Bach's 371 chorales are some of the purest distillations of common-practice era tonal harmony one can find - they remain an invaluable asset to anyone studying harmony and voice-leading principles. That is not to say that these pieces are boring harmonic exercises... Bach's genius worked its way into everything he wrote, and a quick read through any of these chorales brings one a breath of fresh [tonal] air in the midst of modern music's din. Perfect for study and enjoyment. The edition is perfect as well, with clear printing (while maybe too small for those with poor eyesight), excellent binding and almost 60 pages of notes and preface.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for music students, January 9, 2007

By 

J. Gill (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 371 Harmonized Chorales and 69 Chorale Melodies with Figured Bass (Paperback)

This is nearly indispensable for the serious music student. Used in most first-year theory courses, the Bach Chorales illustrate what the master did and why our Western music theory is based on the chorales he wrote.

First bought 18 years ago, I found that I'd somehow lost my copy along the way. I bought another copy since I'm taking further music theory courses and though it isn't required in this particular course, it helps immensely to have a copy on hand.