Chorale fantasia is a type of large composition based on a chorale melody, both works for organ, and vocal settings, for example the opening movements of Bach's chorale cantatas, with the chorale melody as a cantus firmus.
Chorale fantasias first appeared in the 17th century in the works of North German composers such as Heinrich Scheidemann and Franz Tunder (who, however, rarely used the term). Their works would treat each phrase of a chorale differently, thus becoming large, sectional compositions with elaborate development of the chorale melody. By mid-18th century this type of organ composition was practically non-existent.
Johann Sebastian Bach used the term first to designate a whole variety of different organ chorale types (during his period in Weimar), and then limited its use to large compositions with the chorale melody presented in the bass. Bach also wrote movements which have been described as chorale fantasias scored for various combinations of singers and instruments, for example the opening choruses of his chorale cantatas and the closing movement of Part I of the St Matthew Passion. In the vocal pieces the chorale cantus firmus is often given to an upper voice.
In the 19th century the chorale fantasia was revived by Max Reger, who applied the term to monumental pieces based on chorale melodies.
Heinrich Scheidemann – Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu ChristHeinrich Scheidemann – Ein feste BurgHeinrich Scheidemann – In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr (I)Heinrich Scheidemann – Jesus Christus unser Heiland (I)Heinrich Scheidemann – Vater unser (II)Franz Tunder – Auf meinen lieben GottFranz Tunder – Christ lag in TodesbandenFranz Tunder – Herr Gott, dich loben wirFranz Tunder – In dich hab ich gehoffet, HerrFranz Tunder – Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre GottFranz Tunder – Was kann uns kommen an für Not (2 versions)Johann Bahr – O lux beata Trinitas (1655)Johann Adam Reincken – An Wasserflüssen BabylonJohann Adam Reincken – Was kann uns kommen an für NotDieterich Buxtehude – Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BuxWV 188Dieterich Buxtehude – Ich dank dir, lieber Herre, BuxWV 194Dieterich Buxtehude – Ich dank dir schon durch deinen Sohn, BuxWV 195Dieterich Buxtehude – Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ , BuxWV 196Dieterich Buxtehude – Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV 203Dieterich Buxtehude – Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV 204Dieterich Buxtehude – Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein, BuxWV 210Dieterich Buxtehude – Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren, BuxWV 212, on Johann Gramann's hymnDieterich Buxtehude – Te Deum laudamus, BuxWV 218Dieterich Buxtehude – Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV 223Nicolaus Bruhns – Nun komm, der Heiden HeilandVincent Lübeck – Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu ChristVincent Lübeck – Nun lasst uns Gott, den HerrnJohann Sebastian BachvocalOpening movements of his chorale cantatasSt Matthew Passion: the ending of Part I, "O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß"Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn, BWV 23, movement 4for organon "Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott", BWV 651 and 651aon "Von Gott will ich nicht lassen", BWV 658aon "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland", BWV 659aon "Jesu, meine Freude", BWV 713 and 713aon "Christ lag in Todesbanden", BWV 718on "Valet will ich dir geben", BWV 735 and 735aWo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält, BWV 1128Max RegerEin' feste Burg ist unser Gott, Op. 27 (1898)Freu' dich sehr, o meine Seele (1898)Zwei Choralphantasien, Op. 40 (1899):Wie schön leucht't uns der Morgenstern on the hymn by Philipp NicolaiStraf' mich nicht in deinem Zorn! on the hymn by Johann Georg AlbinusDrei Choralphantasien, Op. 52 (1900):"Alle Menschen müssen sterben" (1900)"Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" on the hymn by Philipp Nicolai"Hallejula! Gott zu loben, bleibe meine Seelenfreud"