Chorale Harmonization

Harmonize any lutheran chorale. You can make a Bach-style harmonization or use 20th century harmony. If you are exceptionally bored, you can write a full fledged chorale prelude or chorale variations. Use any instrument(s), as long as the music is based on the chorale melody.

For those without easy access to the original melodies, try harmonizing this short German Chorale melody, Das Alte Jahr vergangen ist.

Attached is the unadorned melody in MIDI.

My slightly ornamented organ harmonization

Have fun.

(I might come back later with a partita on this chorale; it's a very nice melody.)

Here is a short variation on the chorale, in three voices (mostly). Two of the voices imitate each other with a long-short-short motive and a chromatic motive. The chorale tune, slightly varied, is in the highest voice. This isn't a chorale prelude Bach would have written... it is more like how Froberger would have written one.

Do the chromaticism and speed make the partita too dense, or is the chorale recognizable? I'm trying to balance clarity with counterpoint. I might write five more variations and link them together, which probably would require some changes at the end of this one.
Das Alte Jahr vergangen ist - Partita Prima

lovely tune!

liked your first harmonization, but the partita sounds somewhat confused with this kind of organ. a midi file might help to understand your idea.

Well, here's my try, all woodwinds.

Very nice frantz, as always your treatment was original and nice to hear. I'm glad someone finally noticed my chorales. I admit that my partita is a bit confused, perhaps because I insist on the rhythmic motion in multiple parts. The chromaticism is also a bit extreme. Maybe just letting one part at a time carry the fast rhythm would lighten the texture enough. Here is a midi with the harpsichord, which is clearer, although some notes that should sustain don't.

Paginani, your harmonization is very noble sounding; thank you also for noticing my little challenge.

Maybe I should post another chorale for people to harmonize, it's always an excellent exercise.

Originally Posted by echurchill

Very nice frantz, as always your treatment was original and nice to hear. I'm glad someone finally noticed my chorales. I admit that my partita is a bit confused, perhaps because I insist on the rhythmic motion in multiple parts. The chromaticism is also a bit extreme. Maybe just letting one part at a time carry the fast rhythm would lighten the texture enough. Here is a midi with the harpsichord, which is clearer, although some notes that should sustain don't.
...
Maybe I should post another chorale for people to harmonize, it's always an excellent exercise.

hi echurchill! thanks!... and WHERE is your midi????????

yes, post new chorales, i'd love to harmonize them! cheers!

Sorry, here it is.

Originally Posted by echurchill

Sorry, here it is.

thanks echurchill! yes it sounds much clearer with the harpsichord, and even the organ version could be more fully enjoyed, although i really don't like the timbre of that instrument. I think it is really good, well written and nicely following the time-honored tradition of german organ writting. do you have other pieces? i'd like to learn more about your work.

Just go to my e-snips page where I posted the MP3 and look at the folder. What's there are all the good things I've written and a few small unfinished things. I really haven't written that much yet. Thank you for appreciating my small pieces.

Also, about the organ, perhaps the Mp3 compression or too much reverberation or both clouds the melodies. And if you want MIDIs of any of my music, I can post them. Again, thanks for listening.