Partita Sei gegrüßet, Jesu gütig - BWV 768

This is one of my all time favorites of J.S. Bach organ works. The Partita consists of a set of eleven short variations on the choral. This is one of the first works of Bach, dating from around 1705, when the young composer was influenced by the style of lots of Georg Böhm, organist Johanniskirche of Lüneburg, where Bach was a student. Dietrich Buxtehude is another likely source of inspiration.

The variations are based on the ancient Lutheran hymn Do gegrüßet, Jesu gütig. For the performance by choir and organ one needs an organ with pedals.

Bach composed the Partita starting with the old traditional melody, then presenting a series of variations in various styles. Five of the eleven variations must be performed on an organ with pedals. The melody of the hymn is almost always easily identifiable in the soprano.