Easter Chorale Preludes

by Gary Penkala

The chorale prelude is an effective way to emphasize theme or a season. Here is a list of some chorale preludes based on common Easter hymn tunes.

Christ ist erstanden or Surget in haec dies [Christ the Lord Is Risen Today]

• Christ Is Arisen (J.C.F. Fischer) [Parish Organist, Part 8][80 Chorale Preludes, ed. Keller]
• Christ ist erstanden (H. Bach, J.S. Bach, J.C.F. Fischer) [Church Organist's Golden Treasury, Volume 1]
• Christ ist erstanden (J.S. Bach) [Orgelbuchlein]
• Christ ist erstanden (H. Buchner) [Organist's Companion, March 1990]
• Christ ist erstanden (J.G. Herzog) [Organist's Companion, March 1993]
• Piece for Easter (Jan Bender) [Organist's Companion, April 1982]
• Ricercare super "Christ ist erstanden" (J.K.F. Fischer) [Organist's Companion, April 1988]
• Surgit in haec dies (Carolyn Sternowski) [Organist's Companion, March 1996]

Easter Hymn or Worgan [Jesus Christ Is Risen Today]

• Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Calvin Hampton)
• Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Wilbur Held) [6 Preludes on Easter Hymns]
• Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Paul Manz) [Improvisations for the Easter Season]
• Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Healey Willan) [Parish Organist, Part 8]

Ellacombe [The Day of Resurrection]

• Ellacombe (Lois Hill) [Organist's Companion, March 1999]
• Prelude on "Ellacombe" (Alfred Fedak) [Organist's Companion, March 1991]
• Variations on "Ellacombe" (William Gudger) [Organist's Companion, September 1996]

Hyfrydol [Alleluia! Sing to Jesus]

• Duet and Trio on "Hyfrydol" (R. Schulz-Widmar) [Organist's Companion, August 1982]
• Hyfrydol (R. Vaughan Williams) [3 Preludes for Organ]
• Lord of Glory Who Hast Bought Us (David Schack) [9 Chorale Preludes]
• Prelude on "Hyfrydol" (Healey Willan) [10 Hymn Preludes, Set 1]

Lasst uns erfreuen or Vigiles et sancti [All Creatures of Our God and King]

• A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (Paul Manz) [Improvisations for the Easter Season]
• A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (B. Reichel) [Parish Organist, Part 8]
• Chorale Toccata on "Lasst uns erfreuen" (R. Evan Copley)
• Prelude on "Lasst uns erfreuen" (R. Schulz-Widmar) [Organist's Companion, June 1980]
• Variations on "Lasst uns erfreuen" (Thomas Bohlert) [Organist's Companion, June 1988]
• Vigiles et sancti (Mahlon Balderston) [Organist's Companion, March 1997]
• Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones (Wilbur Held) [Hymn Preludes for the Autumn Season]
• Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones (Charles Ore) [11 Compositions for Organ, Set 1]
• Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones (David Schack) [9 Chorale Preludes]

Llanfair [Praise the Lord, His Glories Show]

• Christ the Lord Is Risen (Hermann Schroder) [Parish Organist, Part 8]
• Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (Carols Staszeski) [Organist's Companion, March 1999]
• Llanfair (David Schack) [Organist's Companion, April 1981]

Mit Freuden zart [Rejoice, Angelic Choirs]

• Chorale Prelude on "Mit Freuden zart" (W.J. Ross) [Organist's Companion, April 1988]
• Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (David Brensinger) [Organist's Companion, March 1995]