Schmucke dich, O liebe Seele, Op. 122, No. 5

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) wrote the "Eleven Chorale Preludes, Opus 122," at Ischl, in Upper Austria, during the last summer of his life. Biographers agree that he composed them in memory of his dearest and most faithful friend, Clara Schumann. At the same time, the "Preludes" which were published in 1902, are a revealing document of Brahms' thoughts on his own life. He had not written anything for the organ since 1857. One biographer, Niemann, points out that most of the Preludes deal with "last things." They are, said Niemann, "A retrospect and an epilogue, a salutation to youth and its ideals, and a farewell to this world which is, after all, so fair." Somber as many of them are, they yet have a warm autumnal quality that is all Brahms' own. According to Kalbeck, Brahms' friend and first biographer, there is some doubt as to whether these pieces were intended for publication. Although Brahms had grown up in a Lutheran environment, he had quickly disassociated himself from Christianity. Antonín Dvorák, who visited Brahms on his deathbed, wrote later: "Such a great soul, and yet he believes in nothing". Why Brahms reverted to these "Chorales" at the end of his life will always remain a mystery.

Like with Bach, this melody must have inspired Brahms to intertwine it with leaves of gold. The music is restrained and flowing, but moves us to the depths of our heart and soul.

I've played this through twice. The first time uses only one stop, the Lieblichgedackt 8’ of the Positif.

The second time adds the Quintatön 8’.

Despite the fact I would have thought that "adding the quint" would have hurt the effect, for me, the 2nd time is my "favorite" of the two.

The score is attached below.

MORE COMING SOON!