Organ concerto (Bach)

An organ concerto by Johann Sebastian Bach generally refers to arrangements or transcriptions, rather than original compositions explicitly designated as "concertos" for organ in the modern sense. Bach's works for organ, though virtuosic and substantial, often fall into categories like preludes and fugues, toccatas, passacaglias, and chorale preludes. The modern concept of a concerto, featuring distinct interplay between soloist and orchestra, was still developing during Bach's lifetime.

However, some of Bach's works, particularly those transcribed from concertos by other composers (notably Prince Johann Ernst of Saxe-Weimar) or from his own violin concertos, are frequently performed and understood as organ concertos. These transcriptions allow the organ to take the solo role originally written for another instrument, demonstrating the organ's versatility and Bach's skill in adaptation. The process of transcribing involves adjusting the original score to suit the organ's capabilities, often adding ornamentation, pedal parts, and re-voicing to create a richer, more idiomatic sound. While not originally conceived as organ concertos, these arrangements have become staples of the organ repertoire and are highly regarded for their musical quality and the opportunity they provide for organists to showcase their technique and musicianship. Common examples include transcriptions of concertos originally for oboe or violin.