The 66 Chorale improvisations for

organ Organ may refer to: Biology * Organ (biology), a part of an organism Musical instruments * Organ (music), a family of keyboard musical instruments characterized by sustained tone ** Electronic organ, an electronic keyboard instrument ** Hammond ...

, Op. 65, were composed by

Sigfrid Karg-Elert Sigfrid Karg-Elert (November 21, 1877April 9, 1933) was a German composer in the early twentieth century, best known for his compositions for pipe organ and reed organ. Biography Karg-Elert was born Siegfried Theodor Karg in Oberndorf am Neckar, ...

between 1906 and 1908, and first published in six volumes in 1909. The composition was dedicated to "the great organist

Alexandre Guilmant Félix-Alexandre Guilmant (; 12 March 1837 – 29 March 1911) was a French organist and composer. He was the organist of La Trinité from 1871 until 1901. A noted pedagogue, performer, and improviser, Guilmant helped found the Schola Cantor ...

Volume 1. Advent, Christmas

# Oh remain with your grace – Christ that is my life ("Ach bleib mit deiner Gnade" – "Christus der ist mein Leben") # From the depth of my heart ("Aus meines Herzens Grunde") # All depends on our possessing ("Alles ist an Gottes Segen") # It is our salvation come here to us ("

Es ist das Heil uns kommen her "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" (originally: "Es ist das heyl vns kommen her", English: "Salvation now has come for all" or more literally: It is our salvation come here to us) is a Lutheran hymn in 14 stanzas by Paul Speratus. It was first pub ...

") # Be joyful, my soul ("Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele") # Praise be to You, Jesus Christ ("

Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ "" ("Praise be to You, Jesus Christ") is a Lutheran hymn, written by Martin Luther in 1524. It was first published in 1524 in the . For centuries the chorale has been the prominent hymn (Hauptlied) for Christmas Day in German speaking Lutheranism, ...

") # Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men (" Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich") # Open Wide the Gates ("

Macht hoch die Tür "Macht hoch die Tür" (Fling wide the door) is a German popular Advent hymn, written in Ducal Prussia in the 17th century. The lyrics were written by Georg Weissel in 1623, for the inauguration of the Altroßgärter Kirche in Königsberg. The mel ...

") # With strength, o people – From God shall naught divide me ("Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder" – Von Gott will ich nicht lassen") # From heaven above (" Vom Himmel hoch" – "Dies ist der Tag, den Gott gemacht") # How shall I receive Thee ("

Valet will ich dir geben "" is a Lutheran hymn written by Valerius Herberger in 1613. It is a ' (hymn for the dying). The text was published with two hymn tunes by Melchior Teschner, Zahn Nos. 5403 and 5404a, in 1615. The second of these melodies was used in composi ...

" – "

Wie soll ich dich empfangen "Wie soll ich dich empfangen" ("Ah! Lord, how shall I meet Thee", literally: How shall I receive you) is a Christian hymn for Advent by Paul Gerhardt. It was first published in 1653 in the fifth edition of the hymnal ''Praxis Pietatis Melica'' by J ...

Volume 2. Passiontide

On the waters of Babylon ("

An Wasserflüssen Babylon "An Wasserflüssen Babylon" (By the rivers of Babylon) is a Lutheran hymn by Wolfgang Dachstein, which was first published in Strasbourg in 1525. The text of the hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 137. Its singing tune, which is the best known part of ...

" – "

Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld "Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld" (A Lambkin goes and bears the guilt) is a Lutheran Passion hymn in German by Paul Gerhardt. The hymn text was first published in Johann Crüger's ''Praxis Pietatis Melica'', starting from the lost 1647 ...

# Lord Jesus Christ, turn to us ("

Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend "" ("Lord Jesus Christ, be present now!", literally: Lord Jesus Christ, turn to us) is a Lutheran hymn from the 17th century. Its hymn tune, Zahn number, Zahn No. 624, was adopted in several compositions. It was translated into English and is ...

)" # Lord and Elder of the Christians ("Herr und Ältster deiner Kreuzgemeinde") # Lord, Thee I love with all my heart ("

Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr "" (From my heart I hold you dear, o Lord) is a Lutheran hymn in German by the Protestant theologian and reformer Martin Schalling, written in Amberg in 1569 and first printed in 1571. It is sung to an anonymous melody, Zahn No. 8326, which ...

") # My longing is unbounded (O sacred head now wounded) ("

Herzlich tut mich verlangen "" (I do desire dearly) is a German hymn, with lyrics written in 1599 by Christoph Knoll, with a melody adapted from a secular song by Hans Leo Hassler. It is a prayer for a blessed death, beginning "" (I do desire dearly a blessed end). Its hymn ...

" – "

O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden O, or o, is the fifteenth Letter (alphabet), letter and the fourth vowel letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the English alphabet, modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in ...

") # Alas, dear Lord, what law then hast Thou broken ("

Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen "Herzliebster Jesu" (often translated into English as "Ah, Holy Jesus", sometimes as "O Dearest Jesus") is a Lutheran Passion hymn in German, written in 1630 by Johann Heermann, in 15 stanzas of 4 lines, first published in ''Devoti Musica Cordis'' ...

") # I want to love you, my strength (" Ich will dich lieben, meine Stärke") # I thank Thee already through Thy Son ("Ich dank dir schon durch deinen Sohn") # Oh Lamb of God, innocent ("

O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig "O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig" ("O Lamb of God, innocent") is an early Lutheran hymn, with text and melody attributed to Nikolaus Decius. Originally intended as a German version of the Latin Agnus Dei, it was instead used as a Passion hymn. In both ...

") # Oh world, I must leave you ("O Welt, ich muss dich lassen") # Should I not sing to my God – Let us with Jesus go ("Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen" – "Lasset uns mit Jesu ziehen")

Volume 3. New Year's Day, Easter and other festive days

All Glory be to God on high ("

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr "" (Alone to God in the highest be glory) is an early Lutheran hymn, with text and melody attributed to Nikolaus Decius. With the reformers intending church service in German, it was intended as a German version of the Gloria part of the Latin ma ...

– Gloria in excelsis Deo")

# To You, to You, God, will I sing ("

Dir, dir, Jehova, will ich singen "" (To you, to you, Jehova, I want to sing) is a Lutheran hymn, with 1695 text by Bartholomäus Crasselius. A melody attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach appeared in Schemellis Gesangbuch. It was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth in 1 ...

") # On earth has dawned this day of days (" Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag") # Jesus, help to triumph, you Prince of life ("Jesu, hilf siegen, du Fürste des Lebens") # Jesus, my confidence ("Jesu, meine Zuversicht") # Praise the lord oh my soul ("Lobe den Herren, o meine Seele") # Deal with me, God, according to your kindness ("Machs mit mir, Gott, nach deiner Güt") # After an examination of short days ("Nach einer Prüfung kurzer Tage") # Now let us to God, the Lord ("Nun lasst uns Gott dem Herren") # Strive right, when God calls ("Ringe recht, wenn Gottes Gnade") # Wake up, calls the voice ("

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme "" (literally: Awake, the voice is calling us) is a Lutheran hymn written in German language, German by Philipp Nicolai, first published in 1599 together with "". It appears in German hymnals and in several English hymnals in translations such a ...

Volume 4. Ascension Day, Whitsuntide

Ah, God and Lord – Draw us to Thee ("Ach Gott und Herr" – "Zeuch uns nach dir")

# God of the heavens and the earth ("Gott des Himmels und der Erden" – Komm, o komm du Geist des Lebens") # Lord what you will (On Christ's Ascension) ("Herr, wie du willst", Christi Himmelfahrt) # I thank Thee, dear Lord ("Ich danke dir, lieber Herre" – "O komm, du Geist der Wahrheit") # Jesus, my joy ("

Jesu, meine Freude "" (; Jesus, my joy) is a hymn in German, written by Johann Franck in 1650, with a melody, Zahn No. 8032, by Johann Crüger. The song first appeared in Crüger's hymnal in 1653. The text addresses Jesus as joy and support, versus enemies ...

") # Come Holy Ghost, Lord God ("

Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott "" ("Come, Holy Ghost, Lord God") is a Lutheran hymn for Pentecost, with words written by Martin Luther based on " Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium". The hymn in three stanzas was first published in 1524. For centuries the chorale ...

") # Oh that I had a thousand tongues ("O, dass ich tausend Zungen hätte" – "

Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende "" ("Who knows how near to me is my end?") is a Lutheran hymn in German with lyrics by Ämilie Juliane von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, written in 1686. The hymn reflects the preparation for a good death. It is sung to the melody of " Wer nur den lieb ...

") # Oh Deliverer from Bondage ("O Durchbrecher aller Bande") # Oh eternity, thou thunderous word ("O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort") # Oh God, you righteous God ("O Gott, du frommer Gott", 1st version)" # How bright shines the morning star ("

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern "" (; How lovely shines the morning star) is a Lutheran hymn by Philipp Nicolai written in 1597 and first published in 1599. It inspired musical settings through centuries, notably Bach's chorale cantata , but also vocal and instrumental works by ...

- O heiliger Geist, kehr bei uns ein)"

Volume 5. Reformation, Day of Penance, Communion

Out of the depths I cry to thee ("

Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir "" (From deep affliction I cry out to you), originally "", later also "", is a Lutheran hymn of 1524, with words written by Martin Luther as a paraphrase of Psalm 130. It was first published in 1524 as one of eight songs in the first Lutheran ...

# Christ, O lamb of God ("

Christe, du Lamm Gottes "" (lit. "Christ, you Lamb of God") is a Lutheran hymn, often referred to as the German Agnus Dei. Martin Luther wrote the words of the hymn as a translation of the Latin Agnus Dei from the liturgy of the mass. The tune, Zahn 58, was taken f ...

") # A mighty fortress is out God ("

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (originally written in the German language with the title ) is one of the best known hymns by the Protestant Reformers, Protestant Reformer Martin Luther, a prolific hymnwriter. Luther wrote the words and composed ...

") # Jerusalem, you grand city (" Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt" ) # My Jesus I will not leave (" Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht") # O Gott, du frommer Gott (2nd version) # Adorn yourself, o dear soul (" Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele") # Should it sometimes seem alike - "Sollt es gleich bisweilen scheinen" # "Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn" – "Tretet her zum Tisch des Herrn" # "

Werde munter, mein Gemüte "" (Become cheerful, my mind) is a Lutheran evening hymn by Johann Rist in twelve stanzas of eight lines each, printed in 1642. The hymn was translated to English and appeared in 67 hymnals. History The hymn was first published as "Dritte Zehen" ...

" – "Herr, du hast für alle Sünder" # "

Volume 6. Confirmation, Wedding, Baptism, harvest celebration

Jesus, lead on – Soul's Bridegroom, Jesus, God's Lamb ("Jesu, geh voran" – Seelenbräutigam, Jesu, Gottes Lamm")

# Dear Jesus, we are here ("

Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier "" (literally: Dearest Jesus, we are here) is a Lutheran hymn with text written by Tobias Clausnitzer in 1663, and a hymn tune, Zahn number, Zahn No. 3498b, based on a 1664 melody by Johann Rudolph Ahle (Zahn No. 3498a). A prayer for ill ...

") # Praise the Lord, the mighty King" (" Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König") # Now thank we all our God ("

Nun danket alle Gott A nun is a woman who vows to dedicate her life to religious service, typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the enclosure of a monastery or convent.''The Oxford English Dictionary'', vol. X, page 599. The term is o ...

") # Oh thou my life's Love – By thee, Jesus, will I remain ("O du Liebe meiner Liebe" – "Bei dir, Jesu, will ich bleiben)" # What God does, is done well "

Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan "" (What God Ordains Is Always Good) is a Lutheran hymn written by the pietist German poet and schoolmaster Samuel Rodigast in 1675. The melody has been attributed to the cantor Severus Gastorius. An earlier hymn with the same title was written i ...

" (What God does, is done well) # Whoever lets only the dear God reign (major) " Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten" # Whoever lets only the dear God reign (minor) "Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten" # How bright shines the morning star "

" # How will it be to me, Oh Friend of the soul "Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seelen" # Wonderful King, "Wunderbarer König" (Festive chorale for organ, trumpets, trombones and timpani)

References

{{Authority control Compositions for organ 1909 compositions