And what's it a prelude to?  That's easy. The tune of a familiar song - usually a hymn.

You know how you get complaints when you don't choose something someone really likes?  You can explain over and over again that  "__________" isn't appropriate, good music or even worse, theologically deficient?  And their answer to your explanation is "But I Like it!"

What makes people like certain pieces of music.

The brain's reward center is activated when we hear pleasurable music. It's a chemical reaction.  Popular music with a "beat"  affects us because brain waves synchronize with the rhythm and relax the body. And emotional experiences can become linked to music you have heard as well.

What does this have to do with Chorale Preludes?

Chorale preludes are often based upon a melody that a musician likes so much that the brain plays with it, causing inventions of counter melodies, reharmonization and addition of passing notes - all things that can disguise or enhance the original melody.

Can a composer write a prelude on a hymn they don't like?  It's possible, but a challenge sometimes.

Preludes on hymn tunes can be used to teach the melody of a new hymn.  They tend to be different enough from sounding like your typical hymn introduction to avoid confusing people who might otherwise think that they are being expected to sing.

The melody should stand out to be effective in getting it into people's ears.

Chorale Preludes may be used to introduce a hymn, especially if there is additional time to be filled before singing the hymn - such as a long Communion prior to singing a hymn as communion reflection. 

As an organist you will discover "Organ Preludes" that are often matched with fugues and other pieces but usually "preparing" a style of composition, not matching a tune. 

Composers, such as Bach and  Johann Pachelbel,wrote multiple versions of chorale preludes based upon a single tune, which can be challenging and enjoyable to play.

Noel Jones

See books of chorale preludes on our site.