Chorale Prelude

Chorale Prelude, type of musical composition for the organ, based on a chorale, a melody to which hymns are sung in church. A chorale prelude was originally found in Protestant services, preceding a congregational rendition of the same tune. Chorale preludes are now more commonly heard in recitals or concerts. The earliest chorale preludes, written around the late 17th century, placed the melody in the soprano, with embellishments in other parts. However, the composers who wrote chorale preludes, including Johann Sebastian Bach and Johannes Brahms, developed numerous other methods of treatment. Catholic organ hymns, which appeared about 1500, although stylistically prototypical to the chorale preludes, are frequently incorrectly called chorale preludes. The liturgical functions of these organ hymns were varied, and they never preceded congregational singing.