Chorale with Variations Op 81-1/21

Rudolf Bibl (1832–1902) was an Austrian composer and organist. He belonged to the Bibl family, which remains well-known and influential beyond Austria’s borders to this day: his father, Andreas, was his mentor and predecessor in every respect, both professionally and musically; his brother, Leopold, was also a composer and organist in Vienna; his daughters, Wilhelmine and Resa, were pianists; his son, Viktor, was a historian; and his grandson, Rudolf (Viktor’s nephew), was active internationally as a conductor and pianist. Rudolf followed in the footsteps of his father, Andreas Bibl; at the age of 18, he was also organist at St. Peter’s and later succeeded his father at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. He also succeeded his teacher, Simon Sechter, as organist and Kapellmeister at the Vienna Court. The chorale with three wonderfully romantic arrangements of “Nun sich der Tag geendet hat” (Now that the day hath reached its close) comes from his Op. 81, *Practical Organ School*—an interesting read that offers the following advice: “To achieve even greater proficiency in organ playing, one should practice Bach particularly diligently.” How true!

https://youtu.be/E3wp16OUx0o
https://www.youtube.com/@rwsonic/videos