chorale prelude

American  

noun

Music.

1. a composition usually for organ that is based on a chorale or other hymn tune and is typically contrapuntal in style.

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chorale prelude British  

noun

1. a composition for organ using a chorale as a cantus firmus or as the basis for variations

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Etymology

Origin of chorale prelude

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Half symphony, half oratorio, “The Prison” includes this striking chorale prelude, with dark and light in the same bars, at its heart.

From New York Times

The restrained opening of the first movement came across like a hybrid of a Bach chorale prelude — complete with a walking Baroque bass line — and a stirring Romantic fanfare.

From New York Times

Then this alluring theme starts, and a hint of what could be a Bach chorale prelude filters through.

From New York Times

Bach’s chorale prelude is picked apart, distorted and transformed in a series of dissonant gestures that, now heated, now wispy, create an irresistible smoky turbulence.

From New York Times

Both derive their forms from Bach: Nobody Knows, for trumpet and orchestra, is a chorale prelude, Tippett's oratorio a contemporary Passion.

From The Guardian