A Pedal Study of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orgelbüchlein A document proposal submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS in the Keyboard Division of the College-Conservatory of Music April, 2013 by Yoonnah L. Lee BM, Ewha Womans University, Korea, 2002 MM, University of Cincinnati, 2005 Committee Chair: Roberta Gary, DMA ABSTRACT This study explores diverse figures in the pedal passages in Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orgelbüchlein in order to improve pedal technique by a more effective practice style. The Orgelbüchlein has been thought to include easy pieces that are usually played by beginning students. One of the reasons for this belief is that the pieces are short. In fact, however, none of the chorale settings in the Orgelbüchlein are easy to play. Their various levels of difficulty and styles prove Bach’s pedagogical purpose. I will take full advantage of the obbligato pedal writing in the Orgelbüchlein to develop a pedal technique for music composed before 1750. This study provides pedal exercises according to level of difficulty with directions for practicing included. These pedal exercises based on the Orgelbüchlein will challenge organ students in the great variety they include. ii Copyright © 2013 by Yoonnah L. Lee. All rights reserverd. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My long journey of graduate studies at CCM would not have been possible without the support of many people. I would like to acknowledge my advisor, Dr. Roberta Gary. Her teaching and mentorship throughout the completion of my studies will always be remembered with a profound gratitude. Dr. John Deaver was generous with his time in careful reading the present work. Professor Michael Chertock willingly served as one of committee members for my document. I wish to thank James Walton for generously accepting my request to be a proof reader. I would also like to thank Dr. bruce mcclung, my lecture recital advisor, for his kind teaching of writing skills and encouragement. I am incredibly grateful to my parents for their sacrifices, love, and support every step of the way. The constant encouragement of my precious siblings has also been invaluable to me. My husband, a most understanding and loyal partner, not only encouraged me to finish but also waited patiently for me. I wish to thank my friends who can share golden memories in Cincinnati. Specially, I am also deeply indebted to my church community group and all who prayed for me. Lastly, but certainly most importantly, all thanks and praise belong to God Almighty for the completion of my studies. To God alone, be the glory. iv LIST OF EXERCISES Exercise 1. BWV 617, m. 1 and 12 ..................................................................................................... 10 2. BWV 628, mm. 8–10 ....................................................................................................... 11 3. BWV 628, mm. 1–4 ......................................................................................................... 11 4. BWV 637, mm. 9–11 ....................................................................................................... 12 5. BWV 602, mm. 1–4 ......................................................................................................... 12 6. BWV 625, mm. 6–7 ......................................................................................................... 13 7. BWV 627, mm. 1–3 ......................................................................................................... 13 8. BWV 627, mm. 58 and 60–61 ......................................................................................... 14 9. BWV 615, mm. 7–9 ......................................................................................................... 14 10. BWV 642, mm. 1–2 ......................................................................................................... 15 11. BWV 630, mm. 1–4 ......................................................................................................... 16 12. BWV 635, m. 18 and 11 .................................................................................................. 16 13. BWV 606, mm. 6–8 ......................................................................................................... 17 14. BWV 599, mm. 4–7 ......................................................................................................... 17 15. BWV 601, mm. 1–3 ......................................................................................................... 18 16. BWV 612, mm. 12–14 ..................................................................................................... 19 17. BWV 610, mm. 13–14 ..................................................................................................... 19 18. BWV 616, mm. 13–15 ..................................................................................................... 20 19. BWV 604, mm. 8–9 ......................................................................................................... 20 20. BWV 606, mm. 1–3 ......................................................................................................... 21 v 21. BWV 612, mm. 1–2 ......................................................................................................... 21 22. BWV 602, mm. 7–9 ......................................................................................................... 22 23. BWV 610, mm. 3–6 ......................................................................................................... 23 24. BWV 601, mm. 7 and 10–11 ........................................................................................... 23 25. BWV 617, mm. 2–6 ......................................................................................................... 24 26. BWV 627, mm. 35–37 ..................................................................................................... 24 27. BWV 643, mm. 5–8 ......................................................................................................... 25 28. BWV 615, mm. 60–63 .................................................................................................... 26 29. BWV 640, mm. 9–10 ....................................................................................................... 26 30. BWV 630, mm. 24–26 ..................................................................................................... 27 31. BWV 613, m. 5 ................................................................................................................ 28 32. BWV 614, mm. 7–9 and 11–12 ....................................................................................... 29 33. BWV 618, mm. 15–21 ..................................................................................................... 29 34. BWV 605, mm. 1–3 ......................................................................................................... 30 35. BWV 613, mm. 2–3 ......................................................................................................... 31 36. BWV 622, mm. 5–6 ......................................................................................................... 31 37. BWV 622, mm. 23–24 ..................................................................................................... 32 38. BWV 605, mm. 17–19 ..................................................................................................... 32 39. BWV 609, mm. 7–10 ....................................................................................................... 33 40. BWV 613, mm. 11–13 ..................................................................................................... 33 41. BWV 611, mm. 4–5 ......................................................................................................... 35 42. BWV 623, mm. 9–11 ....................................................................................................... 36 43. BWV 600, mm. 14–18 ..................................................................................................... 36 vi 44. BWV 631, mm. 5–6 ......................................................................................................... 37 45. BWV 600, mm. 2–9 ......................................................................................................... 38 46. BWV 624, mm. 15–16 ..................................................................................................... 39 47. BWV 619, mm. 10–12 ..................................................................................................... 39 48. BWV 622, mm. 5–6 ......................................................................................................... 40 49. BWV 605, mm. 1–3 ......................................................................................................... 40 50. BWV 641, mm. 4–5 ......................................................................................................... 41 51. BWV 603, mm. 7–9 ......................................................................................................... 41 52. BWV 624, mm. 7–8 ......................................................................................................... 42 53. BWV 619, mm. 5–9 ......................................................................................................... 43 54. BWV 627, mm. 41–45 ....................................................................................................