An Wasserflüssen Babylon

Johann Sebastian BachBWV 653

BaroqueIconicfugueG minorAdagio4/4~6 min
H7
Henle (estimated)
RCM 10ABRSM 10

About this piece

This is one of Bach's most profound organ chorale preludes, setting the hymn "An Wasserflüssen Babylon." It is a masterclass in contrapuntal writing, employing complex fugal techniques and a rich harmonic language to create an intensely moving and spiritual experience.

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Teacher notes

Mastering the intricate fugal development and controlling the vast dynamic and textural range are the principal technical hurdles.

Technical focus

counterpointpedalingvoicingornamentationflowing-sixteenthslarge-chords

Mood

contemplativemelancholicserenepowerful

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is An Wasserflüssen Babylon (BWV 653) by Johann Sebastian Bach?

An Wasserflüssen Babylon (BWV 653) is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.

What level do I need to play An Wasserflüssen Babylon?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is An Wasserflüssen Babylon?

A typical performance of An Wasserflüssen Babylon (BWV 653) lasts about 6 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for An Wasserflüssen Babylon?

An Wasserflüssen Babylon (BWV 653) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.