Preludium in E minor 'The Great'

Nicolaus Bruhns was recognised during his short lifetime (only 31 years) as one of the greatest virtuosos of the organ in North Germany. Even a century after his death, music writers still spoke of him as one who greatly contributed to a more ambitious style of composition.

Perhaps his greatest work for organ (that survives) is this Praeludium in E Minor, a multi-sectional work in the North German style, full of flourishes and fantastia-like passages, balanced out with fugal counterpoint.

There are accounts that Bruhns had a sense of humour, too. Sometimes at church, he would get out his violin and play from the organ bench. As a violinist, I can see many violinistic features within his works, and it is quite clear in this work where one could play a quick solo.

Performed on the J.A. Silbermann organ at Arlesheim Cathedral, Switzerland through Hauptwerk technology. My greatest thanks to Kim for filming the performance.