During his lifetime, Johann Sebastian Bach was known as the greatest of organists. His third Clavier-Übung (Keyboard Practice)—part of a set of four publications including the six Partitas, the Italian Concerto, the French Overture, and the Goldberg Variations—is Bach’s most extensive work for his beloved instrument. As with much late Bach, the Clavier-Übung III is an encyclopedic distillation of the past and a harbinger of the future; Bach takes the humble Lutheran chorale and embeds it into the most intricate contrapuntal forms.

Acclaimed concert organist Jonathan Dimmock brings his deeply considered perspective to this great compendium of organ music. In addition to surveying most of the Clavier-Übung III in this recital, Jonathan will also highlight the deep connection of these pieces to Lutheran hymnody on the organs at UC Berkeley’s historic Hertz Hall.