I’ve completed all 65 chords of the chorale. My goal in choosing pitches was to use as many small number ratios as possible. I need to do some more work on some of the chords. For now, I’m happy with the first 40 chords.
I’ve represented the first chord like this, from bottom to top. The ratios in the first column are from the key of B to this note. The next column to the right are the ratios between the 1st to the 2nd, the 2nd to the 3rd, and so on. The next is the ratio of the 1st to the 3rd, 2nd to the 4th, etc. The last is the 1st to the 4th. This gives me a good overall view of consonance.
The 9th chord in the piece looks like this, with a flatted seventh:
This is a chord not in use during Bach’s time, as far as I know. The 21/16 in the bass is an 8/7 from the key of F#. But it’s a passing tone in this use, and hardly noticeable. In the 15th chord, the first one in the second stanza, it’s in the soprano part and held for a quarter note, so it sticks out. I’m sure Johann would have slapped my hand on that.
When we get to chords 45-58, pictured here, I go way out on a limb, then saw it off.
I picked some weird notes for the D# in chord 52. I’m going to have to go back and redo that section.
Or download here: Herzliebster Jesu.
