Chorale “Vor Johann Sebastian, tret ich hiermit”

for nyckelharpa ensemble

Jean-Pierre Vial composed this chorale in 2013, for the “Encore” ensemble who premiered it in Bertinoro, Italy, in August  2013.

The chorale was composed in Johann Sebastian Bach style, as a homage to the great composer.

Its name “Vor Johann Sebastian, tret ich hiermit” directly derives from the name of Bach's last work, the chorale “Vor deinen Thron, tret ich hiermit” (before Thy throne I now appear), a work now cataloged as BWV 668 that, reportedly, Bach had dictated to Johann Christoph Altnikol, his son-in-law, from his deathbed.

This is the video of Jean-Pierre Vial's chorale, premiered by the Encore ensemble in August 2013. (If the video does not show in your internet browser, try this link.)

Jean-Pierre Vial received a composition award for this chorale.

The score, for a modern string orchestra, is published by Universal Edition. The work is registered with SACEM.